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How Does Ageing Affect Learning? The Facts About Neuroplasticity

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Not long ago, researchers thought the brain finished developing in adulthood. Lost brain cells wouldn’t be replaced. And “you can’t teach old dogs new tricks,” or so the story went. Cognitive decline was believed inevitable. But Science is revealing a more positive picture.

You can make new brain cells all the time. You can improve memory, learning, and thinking as you age thanks to “neuroplasticity”. But doing so isn’t a given.

What Is Neuroplasticity?

Neuroplasticity is the ability of the nervous system to alter and re-organize itself based on outside stimuli and internal input. This means the brain can form new connections, improve function, and even recover after injury (e.g., physical trauma, severe depression, epilepsy, or stroke).

The brain can adapt. It can learn and repair itself. And there’s no expiry date on this possibility. Neuroplasticity can be confirmed through imaging and substantial improvements in learning and other brain functions.

How Does Neuroplasticity Work?

The hippocampus continues to produce neurons through a process called “neurogenesis”. This can continue not only into adulthood but into advanced age. These “brain cells” move where they’re needed. They then build pathways in the brain that carry messages.

These messages could be anything from how to catch a ball to how to perform complicated mathematical calculations. When you learn something, you form a connection between these neurons. When you repeat that activity, you reinforce the connection.

That action can even become automatic through repetition. This is how professional athletes develop lightening fast reflexes. It’s how good and bad habits form.

That is why riding a bike feels second nature after you do it for a while. These neuron pathways are the physical structures that make learning possible. They form, dissolve, and can even re-route themselves.

How Can Ageing Impact Neuroplasticity?

As a general rule, younger people are more neuroplastic. But researchers aren’t sure if it’s due to the nature of the brain or the environment you live in. It’s probably both. But nature (natural aging) may not have as big a role as scientists once thought.

Just think about how much new stuff you had to learn every day from birth to around 25. As we age, we are no longer forced to learn constantly. You may have fewer new experiences. You have had the same friends for years. You don’t have any big exams to study for. You may not actively learn new things if you don’t have to.

You spend a lot of time re-enforcing the pathways you already have rather than forming new ones. 

So, you’re not forming as many new pathways in the brain as you once were. This may instruct the brain to stop producing so many new neurons because you don’t need them. This makes it harder to learn new things as you age. You may feel stuck in your ways.

Improve Neuroplasticity At Any Age

These activities have been shown to keep the brain learning and growing into advanced age:

  1. Always find something new to learn.
  2. Play video games. Don’t stick with one kind. Continuously learn new games and become good at them.
  3. Seek out new experiences.
  4. Start a creative hobby.
  5. Meet new people and spend more time with the people you love.
  6. Eat a healthy diet with lots of whole plants, nuts, and fish.
  7. Get enough sleep.
  8. Exercise regularly.
  9. Practice good stress management.
  10. Actively replace bad habits with health-promoting ones.

A Brief History Of Sudoku

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Sudoku is an international sensation. Pronounced Sue-Dough-Koo, the logic-based game has developed over 300 years. Learn more about the history of Sudoku as you enjoy the game. 

Swiss Origins of Sudoku

Leonhard Euler, an 18th-century physicist and mathematician, created an original version of Sudoku. He combined “Latin Squares” with “Magic Squares.” In Latin Squares, users filled a matrix or square with the Latin alphabet. In Magic Squares, users followed a mathematical formula as they placed numbers in a matrix with the same sum in each column and row. Euler’s combination functioned as a mathematical system used during statistical analysis. 

The Birth of Modern Sudoku

Over time, Euler’s pragmatic concept expanded into entertainment. Eventually, a French newspaper published some of the first puzzles in 1895. 

However, an early version of the game we play today is typically attributed to Howard Garns, an architect and freelance puzzle inventor from Indiana. He supposedly submitted a puzzle called “Number Place” to the Dell Pencil Puzzles and Word Games magazine. Published in 1979, this version incorporated the nine-by-nine grid and introduced the rules of placing the numbers one through nine in columns and rows without repeating any digits. 

Japanese Adaptation of Sudoku 

The game underwent further revisions in 1984. That’s when the monthly Japanese magazine Nikolist published “Suuji wa dokushin ni kaguru,” which means the numbers must remain single. This game included similar principles to the “Number Place” plus tweaks that affected its difficulty and visual appeal. 

In no time, the puzzle grew in popularity. It even gained a new name that combined the characters for the word number (Su) with the characters for the word single (Doku). The puzzle’s success occurred in part because the Japanese people could solve the numbers-based puzzles during long commutes. And numbers were easier to work into a grid, unlike crossword puzzles that were less compatible with the Japanese language.  

The World Expansion of Sudoku

Sudoku spread from Japan to the world thanks to Wayne Gould. While browsing a Tokyo bookstore in 1997, the retired judge from New Zealand discovered the game. He became a super fan and wrote a computer program that generated puzzles and rated their difficulty. 

Gould convinced The Times of London to publish a puzzle in 2004. Shortly after that, other newspapers, magazines and book publishers followed suit, including the Conway Daily Sun in New Hampshire. 

By 2006, the World Sudoku Championship began. The competition challenged individuals and national teams to complete the most difficult puzzles in the shortest time. 

Today, the game continues to evolve. For example, we can now play Sudoku online or through an app. And puzzle variations include colors, symbols, letters or words, designs like the jigsaw and the samurai, and numerous grid sizes.  

Why People Play Sudoku

From its origins as a mathematical formula, Sudoku has grown into a world phenomenon. It’s accessible to people of all ages, skill levels and nationalities. And the game appeals to our innate sense of order. It might even reduce stress and anxiety. Sudoku also stimulates our minds, which can boost our brain health, concentration and problem-solving skills. 

No matter where, when or why you play Sudoku, the game has come a long way. And its versions will continue to be around for years to come.

10 Ideas For An Easy And Cheap Night Out

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We’re all looking for ways to spend time that are interesting and engaging, and in many cases, we’re also all looking for ways to save money. Unfortunately, these two concepts don’t always intersect, especially if you’re looking for a night out on the town.

Fortunately, your evenings don’t always have to break the bank. Below, you’ll find 10 affordable (and often free) ways to enjoy an evening out of the house.

1. Stargazing

What’s the classic cheap date that is on every list? Picnics.

Well, stargazing is the evening version of the same thing. You can pack an evening picnic and enjoy being under the stars. You can look and see if you have any type of local observatory.

You can even take the stargazing seriously and try to join up with a local astronomy group.

2. Free Movie

If you’re in any kind of an urban environment, then you’ll probably be able to find instances of free movies. Sometimes, they will play at parks. They might otherwise be at local theaters or amphitheaters.

As a fun variant, you can go see a play or live local theater instead.

Discount movie nights might not be free, but they still save money and still have a place on this list.

3. Dancing at a Community Center

Again, you’ll have more options in urban areas, but you can go dancing. There are plenty of bars and clubs that might not be cheap options, but you can look for dancing nights at community centers and senior centers that are usually free or fairly cheap.

You can also look around the area for dance lessons. They’ll often be inexpensive or even free.

4. Museums

Museums are typically inexpensive, and plenty of them are open for at least part of the evening. You can browse the museum, learn something in the process, and have plenty of fun.

5. Volunteering

A night out doesn’t have to be strictly entertaining. Instead, you can volunteer at any number of causes or nonprofits in your area. You can feed the hungry, work with animals, or do whatever work really speaks to you. It’s potentially a more fulfilling way to spend your evening, and it’s rarely an expensive prospect.

6. Camping

Camping is traditionally a free way to spend an evening. That said, camping isn’t actually always that cheap, once you consider equipment, campground fees, and everything else. But, if you already have equipment, it can be a budget option.

If you don’t want to invest, you can trade in a night of camping for an evening walk. You can go for a nice nature walk, or you can walk around downtown or anywhere else you find interesting.

7. Street Entertainment

This is another idea that works best in urban environments. You can take in the often free entertainment that is on the streets of downtown or other populated areas. Many cities have local street artists of many varieties. You might even be able to catch a free show or concert in public areas.

8. Local Sports

Professional sports are notoriously expensive. But, you can enjoy a sporting outing that is inexpensive by staying local. If you have local semi-professional teams, it’s a good place to start. You can also check out college or even high school sports.

9. Game Night

Play board games. Or karaoke. Or anything comparable. If you’re determined to get out of the house, then rotate hosting with your friends, and as long as it isn’t your turn, you won’t be staying in.

10. Casual Sports

You can play casual sports that don’t require any expertise. These include bowling, darts, and billiards, to name a few. They won’t always be free, but they’re often affordable, especially if you take it easy on drinks and snacks while you’re out.

Are You Taking Your Local Town For Granted? 5 Tips To Uncover Hidden Gems And Make The Most Of Your City

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It’s easy to think that the grass is always greener on the other side — that in order to discover new things to see or do, you must travel afar. But the truth is that the city you live in is probably home to many interesting gems hidden right beneath your nose. The following are 5 tips to help you find those treasures and to take advantage of all that your city has to offer. 

# Social Media

You can find a slew of hidden gems in your town simply by using hashtags while searching social media sites such as Instagram and Facebook. For example, if you live in Huntersville, North Carolina, you can search #Huntersville on Instagram, and pictures that people have taken in the area of interesting sites, events, or businesses will pop up. You can then click on the pictures that interest you to learn more about that particular site or business. 

Join Online Couponing Sites

You may not use online coupon sites — such as Groupon in the United States and the United Kingdom and Scoopon in Australia — but it’s still a good idea to sign up for one of these sites. Why? Because they send out daily emails about special deals on activities and events in your area. It’s an especially good way to discover new restaurants or services, since many of them use these sites to introduce their businesses to the public. 

Check Local News Listings

Most newspapers and online news sites have listings for local events, such as festivals, art shows, and workshops. You can also Google your town’s name and the words “Local events.” This will pull up a list of interesting and fun activities occurring in your area on a day-by-day basis.

Join a Meetup Group

Meetup is an online site where you can find groups of people who share your interests and/or are interested in finding new things to try. Currently, Meetup has groups in more than 179 countries. The following are just a few examples of the types of groups that can be found in many towns:  

  • New resident groups. For people who have just moved to an area and would like to connect with others at various get-togethers and events
  • Hiking groups. A great way to find new trails to explore. Some groups also do urban or historical walks, which can be an excellent way to discover hidden gems in your area.
  • Social groups. These groups are typically divided by demographics — such as for singles, families, or for certain age groups. Social groups will typically meet at local restaurants and breweries or attend events as a group.

Go for a Walk

It’s easy to miss so much about your own city when you’re speeding through it in a car. To really get to know your town, you need to park your vehicle and go for a walk. For example, visit your downtown area to do a little window shopping or dine in that small restaurant you may not have noticed before. Also, make sure to go for strolls through your local parks. Many contain statues, landmarks, or have visitor centers filled with historical information about your city.

5 Celebrities Who Flopped On Broadway And The West End

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Sometimes the stars who dominate the big screen can’t see to hack it on the Great White Way. The stage demands a different acting style than the screen. On stage, you’re always live, and you don’t get to take another take, much less dozens of takes. Some actors thrive under this challenge, while others can’t seem to make it work. Check out these five silver-screen stars who flopped on Broadway and the West End. 

1. Bruce Willis

In 2015, Bruce Willis joined Lauria Metcalf on Broadway in a stage adaptation of Stephan King’s Misery. Although Metcalf’s acting was brilliant as always, the action star failed to deliver. His portrayal of Paul Sheldon, an injured writer kept hostage by a psychotic fan, did not engage the audience. In films and even on TV, Willis has always known how to keep the energy rolling, but on stage, his acting was flat and passive. 

2. A. Pacino

A method actor, Al Pacino has been impressing critics since the 1970s. His most famous role is his Academy Award-winning portrayal of Michael Corleone in the Godfather, but he’s starred in dozens of films in his 50+ year career. He’s one of the few actors who’s snagged an Academy Award, an Emmy, and a Tony, but his two-time Tony wins came in 1969 and 1977. The last time he took to the stage in 2015, he was far from his earlier successes. 

In David Mamet’s the China Doll, Pacino couldn’t seem to remember his lines, and rumor has it that he used a teleprompter. Critics called his performance lurching, stammering, and hard to follow. Since then, Pacino has done a few films, and he’s ventured onto the stage in Pasadena, California, but he hasn’t been invited back to Broadway. 

3. Julia Roberts

Known for her vivacity, Julia Roberts makes the world smile when she’s on the big screen, but unfortunately, she forgot to bring her shine to Broadway. When she starred in the 2006 play Three Days of Rain, she seemed stiff and self-conscious next to her co-stars Paul Rudd and Bradley Cooper. Although she can breathe life into even the most static film characters, she seemed barely acquainted with the character she played on stage.

4. Shia LaBeouf

Actor, filmmaker, and performance artist Shia LaBeouf has been winning awards since he got his start as a child actor on the Disney Channel. He’s no stranger to in-person performances. With his performance art collaborative, he did an installation piece that involved standing in a Los Angeles gallery crying for six days while wearing a paper bag that said “I’m not famous anymore.”

But on the other side of the continent, La Beouf hasn’t had as much luck. In fact, his Broadway flop was so spectacular that he never even made it onto the stage. Cast in Lyle Kressler’s play Orphans, LaBeouf couldn’t get along with the show’s star Alec Baldwin, an actor who transitions beautifully from little screen to big screen to stage and back again. LaBeouf left the show before opening night, and a year later, he made headlines for disrupting a performance of Cabaret. 

5. Katie Holmes

Katie Holmes is known for being sweet and engaging, but on Broadway, that wasn’t the case. In 2012, she played the sister in Theresa Rebeck’s play about a man who comes home to visit his sister and ailing father. Although critics noted that she seemed a little more comfortable on stage than her last Broadway attempt in an Arthur Miller play four years earlier, her performance didn’t get much love. Critics called it a shrill, one-note performance. 

The Real Life ‘Producers’? The 5 Worst Major Musicals Of All Time

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In the Producers, down-and-out producer Max Bialystock and his accountant Leo Bloom cook up an idea to bring on investors, produce a Broadway flop, and pocket the money. Committed to absurdity, they put on a show called ‘Springtime for Hitler” and hilarity ensued. While most real-life Broadway flops are unintentional, they’re often absurd, and for most theater fans, they bring this classic musical to mind. Check out these five Broadway musical flops. 


1. Thou Shalt Not 


Thou Shalt Not was an ambitious piece of theater. It was an adaptation of French writer Emile Zola’s 1867 novel Therese Raquin and featured music from Harry Connick Jr. The play explores what happens when you break the sixth and seventh commandments. But apparently, audiences didn’t want a play about murder, adultery, and tap dancing. Ironically, Susan Stroman directed this play right after having great success with a production of The Producers, but the success didn’t translate. Thou Shalt Not went dark after just 85 performances. 

2. Urban Cowboy


Urban Cowboy followed the story of a young country boy who moves to the city to work at an oil refinery. He spends his nights at a honky tonk, where he meets a young lass who can’t decide if she wants his hard-working cowboy boots and an ex-con’s shoes under her bed. The music comes from country legends like Chalie Daniels and Clint Black, but unfortunately, the show flopped. The characters were undeveloped, the jokes were dumb, and although the soundtrack featured country classics, it wasn’t enough to get anyone’s foot tapping. 

3. Dracula


Adaptations of old horror novels have done well on Broadway. In fact, just before launching Dracula, its composer Frank Wildhorn had great success with his adaptation of the old classic Jekyll & Hyde. However, that success didn’t bleed into this vampire musical. Dracula sings about being lonely, but it doesn’t come across as authentic. Instead, critics said this stage production felt like an unnecessarily long Meatloaf video, and they called it a dunderheaded pseudo-romance. 

4. Lennon

From Buddy Holly to Bruce Springsteen and many stops in between, the jukebox musical is a popular mainstay on Broadway, so a show about Lennon was sure to be a hit, right? Unfortunately, not. The 2005 musical Lennon only made it through 49 performances. The script turned Lennon into a saint, and it heavy-handedly used a 70s storyline to comment on current events. Even people who purposefully go out to see flops weren’t impressed. They wanted a car wreck, but as critics said, the motor didn’t even seem to start. 

5. Lestat


Based on Anne Rice’s infamous vampire Lestat and featuring a score written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, Lestat was designed to delight fans of the vampire musical, but instead, it sucked ticket prices out of their wallets and failed to impress. Critics called this show maudlin and over-filled with kitsch. While Rice’s vampire novels and countless film adaptations have done well with these characters, this show flopped after just 39 lackluster performances. 

What to Wear To A Show On Broadway

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Whether you’ve been waiting your whole life for your first Broadway show or are being dragged to your first show by an enthusiastic fan, you want to look good. Here’s the good news — on Broadway, almost anything goes fashion-wise. Most theaters don’t have dress codes. Wondering what to wear to an upcoming Broadway show? Then, check out these ideas.

1. Make your own kind of music. 

You don’t have to bend your sense of style to see a Broadway show. Instead, you can wear almost whatever you want. Most Broadway audiences strike a variety of style notes. Some come dressed to the nines in tuxedos and formals, while others (tourists and New Yorkers alike) roll in in flip-flops and shorts. 


2. Dress up for special performances.
That said, if you’re going to a special performance, you should put on a little extra shine. This includes previews, opening nights, and gala nights. In other words, if the tickets to your show weren’t easily available to the public, you might want to polish your shoes, get your hair done, and try to look a little spiffy. 

3. Think about where you’re going before and after the show.

Because anything goes on Broadway, you don’t necessarily have to think about what you should wear to the show. Instead, think about where you’re going before or after the show, and then, let those activities dictate your wardrobe. If you’re going out to a fine dining establishment, men might need to wear a sports coat and tie, while cocktail dresses may be perfect for the women in your group. If you’re hitting a matinee and then going on a long walking tour of the city, you might prefer to wear something a little more comfortable with tennis shoes. Whether you go fancy or casual, don’t forget that this is an event that you’ll probably want to capture for Instagram or the family scrapbook, so dress accordingly. Even if you’re not into photos, one of your friends is likely to snag a few shots.

4. Coordinate with your friends

You can wear nearly anything to a Broadway show, but you don’t want to show up in a sports jersey while the rest of your crew is in formal gowns. Reach out to your friends before you go to the show, and coordinate what you’re wearing. You don’t have to all come in the same palette — unless you want to take some family photos after the show — but it’s nice to be in a similar spot on the casual-to-formal spectrum.

5. Think about the show.

It goes without saying that the most important part of this experience is the show. Some shows require you to dress a certain way. For instance, you want to be comfortable for long shows and able to move for immersive productions. In other cases, you may want to emulate the long-standing Rocky Horror Picture Show tradition and wear something that gives a shout-out to your favorite character. In all cases, remember that the show is on the stage — don’t wear any hats or outfits that draw focus away from the main attraction. Other than that, just have fun with your outfit choices, and most importantly, get ready to sit back and enjoy the show.    

Eyebrow Grooming For Men

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Messy, unkempt eyebrows can make you look like Bert of Bert and Ernie fame on a good day and like Sasquatch on a bad day. But with just a little effort, you can tame your scraggly brows. Manicured brows accentuate your facial structure and complement your eyes. Luckily, you don’t have to head to the spa or use a wax pot at home. Instead, you can keep your brows on point with these simple maintenance tips. 

1. Start with brushing.
To get a sense of how to groom your eyebrows, brush them upward. This will show you which hairs are overgrown and need to be cut. A mustache comb works great for guys with thick brows, while a mascara wand is better for thin brows. You don’t have to buy the mascara to get the wand. You can buy clean wands on their own online or at most drug stores.


2. Shape the brows.
Using a very small pair of scissors, trim the hairs that extend above the brow line when brushed upward. Buy a small scissor designed for facial hair maintenance for this job. This gives you more accuracy, and many of these scissors are curved to accommodate your face comfortably. Be very careful that you don’t cut too deeply or you may end up making a hole in your brow. Remember, the brows will get brushed back down. You just want to clean them up. 

3. Grab the tweezers.

Get ahold of some tweezers and use them to pluck any hairs that aren’t with the group. This includes stray hairs under, above, or on the sides of your brows, and of course, it includes all of the hairs that pop up in your monobrow area. Don’t skimp on cost when picking out your tweezer. The cheapest options usually aren’t great at grabbing little hairs. If you want your brows to look good, you need to spring for a decent tweezer. 

Unfortunately, you can’t substitute a razor for this step. If you try to shave off errant eyebrow hairs, you’ll often end up removing some of your main eyebrow. Additionally, the hair tends to regrow faster if you try to rely on shaving. 

4. Thin out bulk with an eyebrow trimmer. 

While razors aren’t advisable, men with extra shaggy brows may want to look into trimmers. These are very small handheld electric trimmers that can help you clean up eyebrow, nose, and ear hairs. You need a trimmer designed for these body parts — beard trimmers are too big to work on men’s eyebrows. Once you’ve got the right trimmer, simply run it over your brows to thin down the volume. 

5. Brush the brows into shape

Once you’ve trimmed and plucked, it’s time to brush your eyebrows back into shape. First, splash some water on your face to remove any loose hairs from your skin. Then, you can use the same comb that you used when you trimmed your brows, or you may be happy with just your fingers. In both cases, just brush along your natural brow line. Then, retry and pluck as necessary. For a clean slick look, some men enjoy using a clear brow gel, while others add thickness and intrigue with a colored gel. 

Would Winning The Lottery Really Improve Your Life?

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The average American spends a little over $200 per year on lottery tickets, but the vast majority of people don’t win. In fact, you’re more likely to get struck by lightning twice than to win the lottery once. However, in spite of these staggering statistics, a few people do win the lottery and get to take home fat stacks of cash. But are they happy? Does winning the lottery change their lives for the better? Take a look at these stories. 

1. You get a lot more friends, which isn’t always a good thing. 
More friends sounds like a good thing, but it isn’t if they’re just hanging around to get some of your wealth. When Sandra Hayes of Missouri won a $224 million lottery prize, she was generous enough to split the winning with 11 people, but her other friends weren’t happy. They kept expecting her to pay for everything.

For Oregon-winner, Stacey Lowry, the needy friend effect was so intense that she had to move. Her entire neighborhood wanted gifts and cash, and when she wouldn’t comply, they turned against her. She moved to another town to hide from her new-found fame.

2. Greed can backfire or even become life-threatening. 
In 1996, lottery winner Denise Rossi quickly divorced her husband as soon as she realized that she had won a $1.3 million jackpot. Her intention was to hide the money from her now ex-spouse. However, a few years later, he cottoned on to her greedy plot and went to the courts who ordered her to give all of her winnings to him. 

Another lottery winner almost lost his life due to greed. After William Post won $16.2 million in 1988, his brother hired a hitman to take him out. Luckily, the plot was unsuccessful, but on an emotional level, Post lost a brother forever. 

3. Winning comes with a heightened risk of bankruptcy.

Everybody thinks that if they have a few million they’ll be set for life, but lottery winners indicate that this just isn’t true. Even people who have won hundreds of millions of dollars have lost it all in just a few years. Many people make too many extravagant purchases, while others opt for bad investments and lavish gifts to friends.

The result — about a third of lottery winners declare bankruptcy not long after winning. To avoid this trap, lottery winners need to realize that money management is about setting the right habits. It’s not just about how much money you have in the bank. To protect themselves, winners should find trustworthy financial advisors.

4. The loot doesn’t come with happiness. 

Research dating back almost 50 years shows that winning the lottery doesn’t necessarily make you happy. A bump in comfort can help to boost happiness levels for people who struggle financially, but once you reach a reasonable level of economic comfort, most people’s happiness levels don’t fluctuate if they get more money. 

Most lottery winners feel content financially (until they blow their winnings and declare bankruptcy), but the winnings don’t spread joy into the rest of their lives. Winners still worry about health, relationships, and personal fulfillment just as much as they did before they won.

5. You lose your privacy.

Most lottery winners get a lot of media coverage. Being in the limelight can be exciting for a minute, but that quickly fades for most winners. When the world knows that you have a new bundle of cash, people start hitting you up to give them gifts or invest in their companies. Of course, there’s also the embarrassing scrutiny that you get if you spend all your money and end up in the poor house again. 

A Brief History Of The Humble Crossword

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Crossword puzzles might be the most popular word game in the world. Doing a crossword puzzle can both stimulate and relax players. But where did the humble crossword originate? Let’s discover the history of this interesting game.  

The Origin of Crossword Puzzles

The first known crossword puzzles appeared in England during the 1800s. Known as word squares, these early puzzles featured basic content and designs. They were included in children’s puzzle books and magazines. 

Crossword Puzzles Evolve

In 1913, leaders at The New York World newspaper in the U.S. asked writer Arthur Wynne to create a new game for the FUN section. Loosely based on word squares, his word-cross creation was published in the December 21, 1913 edition. However, the name was transposed to cross-word a few weeks later. Eventually, the hyphen was dropped. 

Wynne also spent years updating the puzzle’s design. His original rendition incorporated a diamond shape with numbers in certain boxes and no black boxes. Eventually, his tweaks became the modern-day design with a large box, a horizontal and vertical rectangle shape, empty black squares, and numbered white squares. 

Meanwhile, other newspapers in the U.S. began publishing their own puzzles with varied shapes, sizes and accuracy. Front page banners invited readers to skip troubling headline news and proceed directly to the puzzle section. By 1924, crossword puzzle collections were introduced. Likewise, crossword-themed musicals, comic strips and clothing reflected the puzzle’s booming popularity. Librarians also reported an influx of world-be puzzlers searching dictionaries and encyclopedias for clue answers. 

A decade after its U.S. origins, the popular puzzle returned to Europe. The new craze was first published in either Pearson’s Magazine in February 1922 or the Sunday Express in 1925. British puzzle authors also customized the game. For example, D. S. Macnutt took a pen name and wrote governing rules for the Cryptic and Super Cryptic puzzles.

The crossword also continued to mature in the U.S., thanks partly to the New York Times, which published its first crossword on February 15, 1942. This paper’s decision-makers had previously refused to publish the primitive puzzle and assumed the trend would fizzle. Ironically, staff members experienced a change of heart after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. They decided that solving puzzles would give readers a reprieve and distraction from tragic world events. However, publisher Arthur Hays Sulzberger insisted on offering the best crossword in the nation. He hired veteran crossword editor Margaret Petherbridge Farrar to supervise the puzzle. Farrar instituted standard grids and the Sunday Breakfast Test that requires clues and answers to be appropriate for all players, trends that many future puzzle publishers adopted.  

The Crossword is Here to Stay

The humble crossword has indeed grown immensely over the years. Today, it’s a staple in many homes and provides hours of engaging entertainment. And here are more fun facts. 

*The inaugural American crossword puzzle tournament was held in Connecticut in 1978. Its organizer, 25-year-old puzzle maker Will Shortz, became the future editor of The New York Times puzzle and the unofficial crossword king. 

*The first online crossword was published on January 22, 1996. 

*Published on June 30, 2016, in Japan, the largest crossword puzzle included 66,666 clues. 

*Hugh Stephenson’s book Secrets of the Setters offers clues that help players untangle advanced-level puzzles.