Impossible Rollercoaster Jigsaws
Midjourney Prompts
Following on from yesterday’s Goldberg Rollercoasters, with today’s Midjourney prompt we are going to create some unbelievably impossible rollercoaster jigsaws!
About Jigsaws
The history of jigsaw puzzles dates back to the 18th century, and their origin can be traced to maps and educational tools used for teaching geography. Here's a brief overview of the history of jigsaw puzzles:
1. Early Origins: The earliest known ancestor of the jigsaw puzzle can be found in the form of dissected maps. In the 1760s, English mapmaker and engraver John Spilsbury mounted maps on wood and then cut them into pieces along the borders of countries. These dissected maps were used as educational tools to teach geography to children.
2. Transition to Puzzles: By the late 18th century, the concept of dissected puzzles expanded beyond maps. Educational puzzles depicting various subjects such as history, natural sciences, and religion started to emerge. These puzzles were typically made of wood or cardboard and were hand-cut into irregularly shaped pieces.
3. Rise in Popularity: During the early 19th century, puzzles gained popularity among the upper classes in Europe. They were considered a fashionable pastime and were often used as a form of entertainment during social gatherings. The puzzles became more intricate, with finely crafted wooden pieces, and were sometimes referred to as "dissected puzzles" or "dissections."
4. Industrial Revolution and Mass Production: With the advent of the Industrial Revolution in the mid-19th century, the production of jigsaw puzzles became mechanized. Advances in printing technology allowed for the mass production of puzzles, making them more affordable and accessible to a wider audience. Cardboard puzzles with interlocking pieces became the norm.
5. Picture Puzzles: In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, jigsaw puzzles started featuring colorful pictures, often reproductions of famous artworks or scenic landscapes. These picture puzzles became immensely popular and were produced in various sizes and difficulty levels.
6. Golden Age: The early 20th century is often referred to as the "Golden Age" of jigsaw puzzles. Companies like Parker Brothers, Milton Bradley, and Ravensburger began producing puzzles on a large scale, and puzzle enthusiasts dedicated themselves to solving increasingly complex designs.
7. Decline and Resurgence: The popularity of jigsaw puzzles declined during the mid-20th century due to the rise of other forms of entertainment. However, puzzles experienced a resurgence in the late 20th century and continue to be a popular hobby and form of relaxation for people of all ages.
Today, jigsaw puzzles come in a wide range of themes, sizes, and difficulty levels. They have also made their way into the digital realm, with virtual puzzles available on computers and mobile devices. Jigsaw puzzles remain a beloved pastime, offering a challenging and enjoyable way to engage the mind and create beautiful images through the assembly of interlocking pieces.