Geometric Puzzle Design

This book discusses how to design "good" geometric puzzles: two-dimensional dissection puzzles, polyhedral dissections, and burrs. It outlines major categories of geometric puzzles and provides examples, sometimes going into the history and philosophy of those examples. The author presents challenges and thoughtful questions, as well as practical design and woodworking tips to encourage the reader to build his own puzzles and experiment with his own designs. Aesthetics, phychology, and mathematical considerations all factor into the definition of the quality of a puzzle.

Preface, Introduction, 1 Two-Dimensional Dissections, 2 Two-Dimensional Combinatorial Puzzles, 3 Misdirection-Type Puzzles, 4 Variations on Sliding Block Puzzles, 5 Cubic Block Puzzles, 6 Interlocking Block Puzzles, 7 The Six-Piece Burr, 8 Larger (and Smaller) Burrs, 9 The Diagonal Burr, 10 The Rhombic Dodecahedron and Its Stellations, 11 Polyhedral Puzzles with Dissimilar Pieces, 12 Intersecting Prisms, 13 Puzzles that Make Different Shapes, 14 Coordinate-Motion Puzzles, 15 Puzzles Using Hexagonal or Rhombic Sticks, 16 Split Triangular Sticks, 17 Dissected Rhombic Dodecahedra, 18 Miscellaneous Confusing Puzzles, 19 Triacontahedral Designs, 20 Puzzles Made of Polyhedral Blocks, 21 Intermezzo, 22 Theme and Variations, 23 Blocks and Pins, 24 Woodworking Techniques, Finale, Bibliography, Index

Coffin, Stewart