{"title":"Puzzles","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN\" style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Aptos',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Aptos; mso-bidi-font-family: Aptos; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;\"\u003eAlthough there are thousands of mechanical puzzles which have challenged users for centuries, the offerings in this section are limited to puzzles made primarily of wood\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eand string.\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"chinese-finger-trap","title":"Chinese Finger Trap","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis classic item, also called a “Chinese finger puzzle” or “finger cuff”, is a simple woven tube that humorously traps a person's two index fingers. The natural reaction—pulling the fingers apart—makes the trap tighten. It is usually made from thin strips of bamboo, paper, ribbon, or plastic woven diagonally into a hollow cylindrical braid. You insert one finger into each end.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts operation is an elegant example of geometry and friction:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePull outward: the woven tube becomes longer and narrower, gripping the fingers more tightly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePush inward: the tube becomes shorter and wider, loosening its grip.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTo escape, you therefore push your fingers toward each other first, enlarging the tube, and then gently withdraw them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"New World Creations","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50963437584454,"sku":null,"price":2.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0836\/5903\/0598\/files\/FingerTrap1000x1000.png?v=1794423634"},{"product_id":"buttonhole-puzzle","title":"Buttonhole Puzzle","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis simple trick involves a pencil with a loop of string. The loop is a little too short to reach around the far end of the pencil. The set-up is quickly attached to the buttonhole of a spectator, and the goal is simply to remove it. Although attachable in just a few seconds, most individuals will not figure out how to remove given hours.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Buttonhole Puzzle is a late 19th-century creation of the famous American puzzle master, Sam Loyd. The story goes that he created the puzzle for the New York Life Insurance Company for marketing purposes. The original version consisted of a small stick resembling a policeman’s Billy club and a green loop of cord that was shorter than the stick. Insurance agents would attach the device to a customer's shirt or jacket buttonhole and create a memorable interaction since, while easily attachable, it is almost uniformly very hard to remove. It was later commercially produced in the 1930’s by James J. Sanders of the Sanders Manufacturing Company under the trademarked name of the “Magic Holetite Pencil”. These can still be purchased at many online stores.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0836\/5903\/0598\/files\/Buttonhole_Puzzle_Insert.pdf?v=1794439254\" title=\"Buttonhole Puzzle Package Insert and Solution\"\u003ePackage Insert and Puzzle Solution\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"New World Creations","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50963437748294,"sku":null,"price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0836\/5903\/0598\/files\/ButtonHole_corrected.png?v=1794422389"},{"product_id":"idiot-stick","title":"Idiot Stick","description":"\u003cp\u003eForgive the politically incorrect use of the word “idiot”. This is the historical name of this puzzle and not a reference to you or the unsuspecting person asked to solve this “puzzle”.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe usual trick or toy consists of two wooden pieces. The larger piece is a short hollow block or tube. A smaller dowel or stick fits into the longitudinal hole and has a hook or notch cut into its inner end. The other end commonly terminates in a tapered, wedge-shaped, or cone-shaped wooden handle. A rubber band may be visible through a transverse hole in the body, apparently crossing the passage into which the hooked dowel is inserted. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe challenge given to the unsuspecting player is simple: \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDemonstrate how to catch the rubber band while saying, “Put the stick in, catch the rubber band with the hook, pull it out a little, and let the rubber band snap it back.”\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe owner demonstrates that he can do it easily.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe idiot stick is then given to the victim, who tries repeatedly to do the same thing—and invariably fails. That failure is the toy's entire point.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis classic toy appears to have its origins in the Appalachian region of the US. It is packaged with a solution!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePackage Insert and Solution:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0836\/5903\/0598\/files\/Idiot_Stick_-_Package_Insert.pdf?v=1794438307\" title=\"Package insert and solution\"\u003ehttps:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0836\/5903\/0598\/files\/Idiot_Stick_-_Package_Insert.pdf?v=1794438307\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"New World Creations","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50963437813830,"sku":null,"price":15.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0836\/5903\/0598\/files\/IdiotStick_enhanced.png?v=1794423083"},{"product_id":"barrel-and-ball-puzzle","title":"Barrel and Ball Puzzle","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is a classic and highly challenging puzzle that appeared in Professor Hoffman’s book, “Puzzles Old and New”, which chronicles many of the common mechanical puzzles circulating in the past.  It consists of a barrel with a single hole, a plunger, and a ball or marble.  The hole, unfortunately, is too small for the ball to pass through.  The object, of course, is to somehow remove the ball from the barrel.  To be clear, the solution does not involve a hammer and you cannot use a drill to enlarge the hole. Hidden within the barrel is a mechanism you must recognize and employ.\u003c\/p\u003e \n\n\u003cp\u003eOur version, turned on a lathe by Jon Wahrenberger, is constructed of cherry and finished with polyurethane.  It is a challenge that will become a cherished keepsake.\u003cbr\u003e\nIt is packaged with the solution.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"New World Creations","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50963437846598,"sku":null,"price":39.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0836\/5903\/0598\/files\/BarrellAndBall_white_background.png?v=1794428068"},{"product_id":"impossible-dovetail-puzzle","title":"Impossible Dovetail Puzzle","description":"\u003cp\u003eMost folks are familiar with the dovetail joint, which is commonly employed in furniture drawers and is thought by many to be a sign of quality workmanship due to its inability to be pulled apart. If not glued, this kind of joint can, in fact, be pulled apart, but only when moving in one specific direction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis object seems to defy all logic by having dovetail joints on all sides. It leaves the observer wondering how it was put together and how – as the object of the puzzle suggests – how to get it apart. And to be clear, this is not a sham in any way. The top and the bottom half of the small box can be separated from each other\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"New World Creations","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50963437912134,"sku":null,"price":20.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0836\/5903\/0598\/files\/ImpossibleDovetail_hires.png?v=1794434613"},{"product_id":"two-piece-pyramid-puzzle","title":"Two-Piece Pyramid Puzzle","description":"\u003cp\u003eAlthough simple in concept and solved quickly by some, for many exposed to this puzzle consisting of two identical pieces, it is not so easy.  There are no gimmicks and no hidden features.  The two pieces simply need to be assembled so as to form a pyramid.  Can you do it?  Can you do it in less than a minute?\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"New World Creations","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50963437944902,"sku":null,"price":10.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0836\/5903\/0598\/files\/TwoPiecePyramid_raw.png?v=1794164883"},{"product_id":"four-piece-pyramid-puzzle","title":"Four-Piece Pyramid Puzzle","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis puzzle is similar to the 2-piece pyramid puzzle and consists of four identical pieces that must be assembled to create a pyramid.   It’s definitely harder, but with time, you will be able to solve it.  But having done so, will you remember how to do it again?  Solution included.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"New World Creations","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50963438010438,"sku":null,"price":10.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0836\/5903\/0598\/files\/FourPiecePyramid_raw.png?v=1794164805"},{"product_id":"united-heart-puzzle","title":"United Heart Puzzle","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is a classic mechanical puzzle that has various names and has been produced in various forms over the years.  All versions include a fixed bar or other object from which a cord is attached and which has two hanging loops through which a bead or other object is threaded.  This version includes two halves of a heart that are on separate loops attached to the small wood block and the object is to unite them such that they are next to each other.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a moderately difficult puzzle, but not extraordinarily difficult! Solution included.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"New World Creations","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50963438338118,"sku":null,"price":10.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0836\/5903\/0598\/files\/United-hearts.jpg?v=1794416606"},{"product_id":"pythagoras-cup","title":"Pythagoras Cup","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis unique item is a cup or mug that is not made for drinking but, rather, is intended to be a puzzle or perhaps a practical joke.\u003c\/p\u003e  \n\n\u003cp\u003eWhen it is filled beyond a certain point, a siphoning effect causes the cup to drain its entire contents through the base, making a mess. The cup has been used to make statements about greed.  As long as it is not overfilled, it acts like a normal cup.  If overfilled, however, the fluid communicates with a separate column and, through the “siphon effect,” has the consequence of draining the cup.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"New World Creations","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50963438633030,"sku":null,"price":29.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0836\/5903\/0598\/files\/PythagoreanCup_2048.png?v=1794403246"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0836\/5903\/0598\/collections\/UnitedHeartPuzzle_raw_0c44180a-2edd-49bf-b311-e44d8824010f.jpg?v=1794168532","url":"https:\/\/newworldcreationsllc.com\/collections\/puzzles.oembed","provider":"New World Creations","version":"1.0","type":"link"}