Puzz-3D
Encyclopedia
Puzz-3D is the brand name of three-dimensional jigsaw puzzles, manufactured by Hasbro (formerly by Wrebbit
, Inc.). Unlike traditional puzzles which are composed of series of flat pieces with parts of an image on them, when put together, create a single unified image, the Puzz-3D series of puzzles are composed on plastic
foam
, with the part of an image graphed on a stiff paper facade glued to the underlying foam piece and cut to match the piece's dimensions. When the pieces are put together, they create a structure such as a building.
, started in 1991 under the Quebec-based company Wrebbit
. Throughout the 1990s, 3-dimensional puzzles were made, leading to a rapid growth in the company and a successful fad.
In 2005 Wrebbit was sold to Hasbro, who moved the manufacture of Wrebbit's puzzles to its East Longmeadow, Massachusetts
facility in 2006.
The last series that were made were Towers Made to Scale. The structure consisted of 13 skyscrapers from around the world, including the Petronas Towers, the Sears Tower
, the Empire State Building
, Taipei 101
, and the John Hancock Center
, among others. All are at a 1:585 scale, and all of the towers glowed in the dark.
By 2006, all Puzz 3D puzzles had been discontinued.
Typically, the structures released were famous landmarks, like the White House
, Big Ben, CN Tower
, or the Neuschwanstein castle. In addition to this, Puzz-3D has also released science fiction related puzzles, such as the Millennium Falcon
of Star Wars
fame, or structures from legends, such as King Arthur
's Castle
. There has also been the creation of period buildings, such as a Victorian Mansion
. In addition to these structures, they have also produced Classic cars, such as the 1956 Ford Thunderbird
. The puzzles released also include the New York, New York puzzle, which included the area around the World Trade Center
and the Empire State Building
. This puzzle is Hasbro's largest, at 3141 pieces.
, and Puzz3D: Victorian Mansion. A fifth game was also made of The Lamplight Manor featuring a 3D tour when completed.
Wrebbit
Wrebbit was a puzzle-making company best known for its Puzz-3D puzzles. The company was founded in Montreal, Quebec by Paul Gallant, and marketed itself as "The Puzzle Innovators." Its namesake appears to stem from the fact that the company's mascot is a green frog, and "Wrebbit" is either an...
, Inc.). Unlike traditional puzzles which are composed of series of flat pieces with parts of an image on them, when put together, create a single unified image, the Puzz-3D series of puzzles are composed on plastic
Plastic
A plastic material is any of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solids used in the manufacture of industrial products. Plastics are typically polymers of high molecular mass, and may contain other substances to improve performance and/or reduce production costs...
foam
Foam
-Definition:A foam is a substance that is formed by trapping gas in a liquid or solid in a divided form, i.e. by forming gas regions inside liquid regions, leading to different kinds of dispersed media...
, with the part of an image graphed on a stiff paper facade glued to the underlying foam piece and cut to match the piece's dimensions. When the pieces are put together, they create a structure such as a building.
History
Puzz 3D puzzles, invented by Paul GallantPaul Gallant
Paul-Émile Gallant was a Canadian entrepreneur who invented the Puzz-3D three-dimensional jigsaw puzzles. He is also credited with inventing both the Wrebbit Puzzle Machine, which is now known as the Puzzle Shots Factory, and the Perfalock flat foam puzzle.Gallant was born in Edmundston, New...
, started in 1991 under the Quebec-based company Wrebbit
Wrebbit
Wrebbit was a puzzle-making company best known for its Puzz-3D puzzles. The company was founded in Montreal, Quebec by Paul Gallant, and marketed itself as "The Puzzle Innovators." Its namesake appears to stem from the fact that the company's mascot is a green frog, and "Wrebbit" is either an...
. Throughout the 1990s, 3-dimensional puzzles were made, leading to a rapid growth in the company and a successful fad.
In 2005 Wrebbit was sold to Hasbro, who moved the manufacture of Wrebbit's puzzles to its East Longmeadow, Massachusetts
East Longmeadow, Massachusetts
As of the census of 2010, there were 16,187 people, 5,248 households, and 3,988 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,087.1 people per square mile . There were 5,363 housing units at an average density of 413.5 per square mile...
facility in 2006.
The last series that were made were Towers Made to Scale. The structure consisted of 13 skyscrapers from around the world, including the Petronas Towers, the Sears Tower
Sears Tower
Sears' optimistic growth projections were not met. Competition from its traditional rivals continued, with new competition by retailing giants such as Kmart, Kohl's, and Wal-Mart. The fortunes of Sears & Roebuck declined in the 1970s as the company lost market share; its management grew more...
, the Empire State Building
Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is a 102-story landmark skyscraper and American cultural icon in New York City at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and West 34th Street. It has a roof height of 1,250 feet , and with its antenna spire included, it stands a total of 1,454 ft high. Its name is derived...
, Taipei 101
Taipei 101
Taipei 101 , formerly known as the Taipei World Financial Center, is a landmark skyscraper located in Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan. The building ranked officially as the world's tallest from 2004 until the opening of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai in 2010...
, and the John Hancock Center
John Hancock Center
John Hancock Center at 875 North Michigan Avenue in the Streeterville area of Chicago, Illinois, is a 100-story, 1,127-foot tall skyscraper, constructed under the supervision of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, with chief designer Bruce Graham and structural engineer Fazlur Khan...
, among others. All are at a 1:585 scale, and all of the towers glowed in the dark.
By 2006, all Puzz 3D puzzles had been discontinued.
The Puzzles
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
, Big Ben, CN Tower
CN Tower
The CN Tower is a communications and observation tower in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Standing tall, it was completed in 1976, becoming the world's tallest free-standing structure and world's tallest tower at the time. It held both records for 34 years until the completion of the Burj...
, or the Neuschwanstein castle. In addition to this, Puzz-3D has also released science fiction related puzzles, such as the Millennium Falcon
Millennium Falcon
The Millennium Falcon is a spacecraft in the Star Wars universe commanded by smuggler Han Solo and his Wookiee first mate, Chewbacca...
of Star Wars
Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
fame, or structures from legends, such as King Arthur
King Arthur
King Arthur is a legendary British leader of the late 5th and early 6th centuries, who, according to Medieval histories and romances, led the defence of Britain against Saxon invaders in the early 6th century. The details of Arthur's story are mainly composed of folklore and literary invention, and...
's Castle
Castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
. There has also been the creation of period buildings, such as a Victorian Mansion
Victorian architecture
The term Victorian architecture refers collectively to several architectural styles employed predominantly during the middle and late 19th century. The period that it indicates may slightly overlap the actual reign, 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901, of Queen Victoria. This represents the British and...
. In addition to these structures, they have also produced Classic cars, such as the 1956 Ford Thunderbird
Ford Thunderbird
The Thunderbird , is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company in the United States over eleven model generations from 1955 through 2005...
. The puzzles released also include the New York, New York puzzle, which included the area around the World Trade Center
World Trade Center
The original World Trade Center was a complex with seven buildings featuring landmark twin towers in Lower Manhattan, New York City, United States. The complex opened on April 4, 1973, and was destroyed in 2001 during the September 11 attacks. The site is currently being rebuilt with five new...
and the Empire State Building
Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is a 102-story landmark skyscraper and American cultural icon in New York City at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and West 34th Street. It has a roof height of 1,250 feet , and with its antenna spire included, it stands a total of 1,454 ft high. Its name is derived...
. This puzzle is Hasbro's largest, at 3141 pieces.
Games
Puzz-3D games were also made for Windows and Mac. One must first build the puzzle, which is a digital version of an existing 3D puzzle, by clicking and dragging the pieces. When completed, a fictional mystery must be solved taking place in that landmark. Four games were made for Windows and Mac. These are Puzz3D: Neuschwanstein Bavarian Castle, Puzz3D: Notre Dame Cathedral, Puzz3D: The Orient ExpressOrient Express
The Orient Express is the name of a long-distance passenger train service originally operated by the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits. It ran from 1883 to 2009 and is not to be confused with the Venice-Simplon Orient Express train service, which continues to run.The route and rolling stock...
, and Puzz3D: Victorian Mansion. A fifth game was also made of The Lamplight Manor featuring a 3D tour when completed.