This puzzle was designed by Robert E. Sandfield and crafted by Perry McDaniel. It is a good example of an impossible dovetail joint. This is a type of impossible object, so called because there appears to be no way to separate a dovetail joint which consists of a dovetail on all four sides. To make the puzzle harder, a magnetic lock is inside and it has to be released before the two parts of the puzzle can be separated. Complete with instructions. It was purchased from H & R Magic Books at the Magic Collectors’ Association Weekend, Schaumburg, 1996. It came in a red draw string bag with ‘Sandfield Joint Puzzle’ on a piece of wood attached to the string. Because the idea of this puzzle is to take it apart, people interested in mechanical puzzles also classify this as a Take Apart Puzzle.
This is an example of an impossible object, because it is so hard to envisage how these balls within balls could be turned from one piece of wood. The puzzle is therefore ‘how is it made?’ The object is shown resting on a separate stand. This was a gift from skilled woodturner David Springett. David explains how such a piece can be made in his book ‘Woodturning Wizardry’. The book was first published in 1993 by Guild of Master Craftsman Publications Ltd, Lewes, East Sussex.
This is an example of an impossible object, because it is so hard to envisage how this complex sphere with the star inside could be turned from one piece of wood. The puzzle is therefore ‘how is it made?’ The object is shown resting on a separate stand. This was a gift from skilled woodturner David Springett. David explains how such a piece can be made in his book ‘Woodturning Wizardry’. The book was first published in 1993 by Guild of Master Craftsman Publications Ltd, Lewes, East Sussex.
This is an example of an impossible object, so called because there appears to be no way to separate the two pieces which are joined with a dovetail joint on all four sides. Because the idea of this puzzle is to take it apart, people interested in mechanical puzzles also classify this as a Take Apart Puzzle.
This puzzle made by Lagoon Games is a good example of an impossible dovetail joint. This is a type of impossible object, so called because there appears to be no way to separate a dovetail joint which consists of a dovetail on all four sides. To make the puzzle harder, a magnetic lock is inside and it has to be released before the two parts of the puzzle can be separated. Complete with instructions. Because the idea of this puzzle is to take it apart, people interested in mechanical puzzles also classify this as a Take Apart Puzzle.
Click on Details if you would like to download a PDF of this e-news.
E-newsletters like this one are sent out four times a year, highlighting recent additions to the website. If you’d like to be added to the mailing list, please contact the curator. The June 2023 issue included:
– Prof. Edwin A. Dawes by his sons Michael and Adrian Dawes.
– The metal snapper – was it an improvement?
– Pat Page and the Ju-Ju Stick.
– De Biere’s ALL IN ONE pamphlet, 1919.
– The Ju-Ju Stick by Frank Monaghan.
– Three different puzzles – one solution.
– Going back 150 years to the Egyptian Hall on Piccadilly.
– How to make a curator happy.
The clear plastic disk swivels round on the key ring. The puzzle is to remove the coin that is trapped inside the disk by a number of ball bearings. Every time you tap the puzzle so that the coin starts to drop out, the ball bearings roll down and stop the coin from going any further. The sure way of solving the puzzle requires a flick of your finger – but you need to know where to flick. This is a well designed and manufactured puzzle.
The wooden boat has a clear celluloid cover and inside are two ball bearings. The puzzle is to get a ball into the small hole at each end of the puzzle. Unless you know the secret, it’s frustrating. Getting the first ball in is easy – you simply tilt the boat sideways. But when you tilt the puzzle back to coax the second ball into the second hole, the first ball falls out. This is a puzzle that needs ingenuity rather than lots of jiggling. The puzzle has been popular over the decades and has often been used as a commercial give away.
The puzzle is to open the match case.The metal box has a corrugated striker on one end. On the lid are the words: JOHNNIE WALKER. On base are the words: OPEN THIS BOX AND I’LL STAND YOU A JOHNNIE WALKER. The side of the case has on it: PAT24.846/10. This is an entertaining, seldom seen puzzle.
Each of these envelopes contains either a simple trick or a puzzle. The contents were produced by Gus Davenport who was friendly with Michael and Paula Baird. Most of the items are printed on card and item N2707 shows an example of the sheet on which they were printed. Two of the items, also supplied by Gus Davenport, are made in plastic.
Click on Details if you would like to download a PDF of this e-news.
E-newsletters like this one are sent out four times a year, highlighting recent additions to the website. If you’d like to be added to the mailing list, please contact the curator.
The June 2022 issue included:
– more on David Devant’s early career.
– Uri Geller and mind power.
– Sakkaku Scale by Tenyo – a magical optical illusion.
– create wooden Japanese furniture by taking a block of wood to pieces. It’s a puzzle putting it together again.
– the link between World War II gas masks and Davenports conjurers’ wax.
– the Old and the New Magic: a look at Davenports 1956 catalogue.
This well made cube consists of twelve pyramids which are hinged together and which contain magnets. The initial puzzle is how to open it up. Once open, it can be flexed to create many different shapes. Click on View Details to see examples of the shapes which can be made. This example was purchased from Grand Illusions in the UK. The product is made under licence in the Peoples Republic of China for www.geobender.com.
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