The world's oldest crossword puzzle is celebrating its centennial, marking a milestone in the history of one of the world's most beloved pastimes. The first-ever crossword puzzle was created by Arthur Wynne, a British-American journalist and puzzle enthusiast, 100 years ago.
The original "word-cross" puzzle was published on December 21, 1913, in the New York World newspaper. It consisted of 16 words, arranged horizontally across seven rows, with clues to help solve the puzzle. The puzzle's creator, Wynne, is credited with inventing the concept of a word-based puzzle with interconnected clues.
Fast forward to today, and millions of people around the world enjoy solving crosswords every day. From casual puzzle enthusiasts to professional crossword constructors, the hobby has become an integral part of popular culture.
While many may view crosswords as a relaxing pastime, few people realize that these brain-teasers were the invention of one man 100 years ago. Faith Salie reports on this fascinating story, highlighting the history and evolution of crosswords over the decades.
The centennial celebration marks a significant milestone in the world of puzzles. With its rich history and enduring popularity, it's clear that the crossword puzzle will continue to be a beloved activity for generations to come.
The original "word-cross" puzzle was published on December 21, 1913, in the New York World newspaper. It consisted of 16 words, arranged horizontally across seven rows, with clues to help solve the puzzle. The puzzle's creator, Wynne, is credited with inventing the concept of a word-based puzzle with interconnected clues.
Fast forward to today, and millions of people around the world enjoy solving crosswords every day. From casual puzzle enthusiasts to professional crossword constructors, the hobby has become an integral part of popular culture.
While many may view crosswords as a relaxing pastime, few people realize that these brain-teasers were the invention of one man 100 years ago. Faith Salie reports on this fascinating story, highlighting the history and evolution of crosswords over the decades.
The centennial celebration marks a significant milestone in the world of puzzles. With its rich history and enduring popularity, it's clear that the crossword puzzle will continue to be a beloved activity for generations to come.
. But seriously, have you ever wondered why crosswords are so popular? Is it because it's a way for us to exercise our brains, or is it just a clever way to keep people distracted from the real issues at hand? And let's be real, who benefits from this centennial celebration - the puzzle enthusiasts or the publishing companies making money off of them? 
! Like, who knew they were invented by just one person 100 years ago? Arthur Wynne is like a legend in my eyes 
. It's so cool how something that was considered "nerdy" back then has become a global phenomenon. I mean, I'm definitely guilty of spending hours solving crosswords on a lazy Sunday 
. But what's even more amazing is how they've evolved over the years, with new constructors and themes being added all the time 
. I think it's awesome that people like Faith Salie are highlighting the history behind crosswords – it just adds to their appeal! 
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance." - FDR 
100 yrs ago! The original crosswords had only 16 words lol but now we got like thousands of words to solve every day 
over 1 million people participate in crosswords daily 
70% of Americans have tried crossword puzzles at least once 
(80%) followed by UK 
(60%) and Canada 
(40%). What's ur fave level of difficulty? Easy or expert? Let me know! 
. It's like meditation in word form, you know? Focusing on clues and words, all the stress just melts away 
I think crosswords are more than just a puzzle – they're a way to exercise your brain and keep it sharp 
i remember doing crosswords as a kid with my grandma and it was always so much fun. now ppl do them everywhere and theyre super competitive too 
100 years ago, Arthur Wynne created this genius idea that's still going strong today. I mean, who wouldn't want to exercise their brain and have fun at the same time? It's crazy how something that was once considered a novelty has become such an integral part of our culture. I've spent countless hours solving crosswords on my free time and it's literally the best way to unwind 
I'm pretty sure all the cool kids use their phones to get their daily fix of crosswords. But hey, I guess that's progress, right? Anyway, it's awesome to think about how something so simple can bring people together like that. I mean, I've seen some crazy stuff in my browser history