When the Tangram was
created, and by whom, is unknown today. However, the first
known written reference is found in a Chinese book from 1813, so
the Tangram's origin is probably much earlier.
According to legend,
a man invented this puzzle 4,000 years ago while trying to
reassemble the seven pieces of a broken porcelain tile.
Contact between China and
the Western world resulted in a spreading of "The Chinese Puzzle,"
as it was then called, first to Europe and
then the United
States during the 1800’s.
The word "Tangram" might have
been derived from the name Tang,
the ruling Chinese dynasty from
618-907 AD, a period of great literature and art in China’s
history.
In 1903,
puzzle author Samuel
Loyd published “The Eighth
Book of Tan” which included 700 Tangram designs and an
entertaining, although fictional, history of the puzzle. Loyd’s
whimsical book
proved to be popular, helping to spread interest in Tangram.
The Tangram was a favorite challenge
for such famous players as Lewis
Carroll (author of "Alice's
Adventures in Wonderland"), Edgar
Allan Poe (who wrote macabre tales such as "The
Masque of the Red Death") and Napoleon
Bonapart (the Emperor of France).
Historically, the Tangram has
been played with pieces constructed from inexpensive materials
such as clay or
wood as well as carved from precious jade or ivory.
The seven tans can be easily cut
from a sheet of paper or cardboard using only a rule,
compass and scissors.
Commercially
manufactured Tangrams can be purchased today, along with books of
patterns to solve, from Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.
Or you can play right here, on our web page! |
