The area in which the cache is located is
frequented by many, but can pose hazards to all. There is always a
safer way to do things, keep that in mind while attempting this
cache. It is not recommended for young children, pets, or people
with heart conditions. I am in no way responsible for any
personal injury sustained, while attempting to find this
cache. I personally shed a little blood and a lot of sweat
placing this. There is no special equipment required to
obtain your goal.
With that said, on with the description!
It is generally agreed that the first jigsaw puzzle was produced
around 1760 by John Spilsbury, a London engraver and mapmaker.
Spilsbury mounted one of his maps on a sheet of hardwood and cut
around the borders of the countries using a fine-bladed marquetry
saw. The end product was an educational pastime, designed as an aid
in teaching British children their geography. The idea caught on
and, until about 1820, jigsaw puzzles remained primarily
educational tools.
In 1880, with the introduction of the treadle saw, what had
previously been known as dissections (not a word with particularly
enjoyable connotations in our own time) came to be known as jigsaw
puzzles, although they were actually cut by a fretsaw, not a true
jigsaw. Towards the end of the century plywood came to be used.
With illustrations glued or painted on the front of the wood,
pencil tracings of where to cut were made on the back. These pencil
tracings can still be found on some of these older puzzles.
Cardboard puzzles were first introduced in the late 1800's, and
were primarily used for children's puzzles. It was not until the
20th century that cardboard puzzles came to be die-cut, a process
whereby thin strips of metal with sharpened edges - rather like a
giant cookie-cutter - are twisted into intricate patterns and
fastened to a plate. The "die" (which refers to this assembly of
twisted metal on the plate) is placed in a press, which is pressed
down on the cardboard to make the cut.
Thus, in the early 1900's, both wooden and cardboard jigsaw
puzzles were available. Wooden puzzles still dominated, as
manufacturers were convinced that customers would not be interested
in "cheap" cardboard puzzles. Of course, a second motivation on the
part of manufacturers and retailers of jigsaw puzzles was that the
profit from a wooden puzzle, which might sell for $1.00, was far
greater than for a cardboard jigsaw puzzle, which would usually
sell for about 25¢.
The Golden Age of jigsaw puzzles came in the 1920s and 1930s
with companies like Chad Valley and Victory in Great Britain and
Einson-Freeman, Viking and others in the United States producing a
wide range of puzzles reflecting both the desire for sentimental
scenes, enthusiasm for the new technologies in rail and shipping
and, last but not least, new marketing strategies.
One strategy was to make cardboard puzzles more intricate and
difficult, thus appealing as much to adults as to children. Another
was to use jigsaw puzzles as premiums for advertising purposes.
Einson-Freeman of Long Island City, New York began this practice in
1931, making puzzles that were given away with toothbrushes. Other
premiums followed, but more important to the jigsaw puzzle's
enduring success was the introduction of the weekly puzzle. This
practice began in the United States in September, 1932 - very much
the depth of the Depression - with an initial printing of 12,000
puzzles. Soon after, printings rose to 100,000 and then
200,000.
It might seem odd at first glance that a non-necessity like a
jigsaw puzzle would sell so well in the Depression. But the appeal,
then as now, was that one bought a good deal of entertainment for a
small price. The weekly jigsaw puzzle could constitute a solitary
or group activity, and would occupy one's time enjoyably for hours.
And, of course, a jigsaw puzzle was "recyclable," in that one could
break the puzzle up once one had completed it and then pass it on
to another family member or friend. Another point to bear in mind
that jigsaw puzzle enthusiasts in the Depression discovered what
many in our own time are rediscovering - that working on a jigsaw
puzzle is a great way to reduce stress!
Now, it seems only fitting that you too relieve some stress and put
together a jigsaw puzzle. This puzzle isn't made of wood, or even
cardboard and when you find it in this listing you'll know. Once
you've completed your puzzle you will have the information needed
to find this true puzzle cache.
Remember,
this will reduce your stress! Have fun!! -Lp