The first puzzle was made in 1767 by John Spilsbury who was an engraver and map map maker. The very first jigsaw was a map of the world. These puzzles were used in schools to teach geography.

Eventually the puzzle evolved to depict a wide range of subjects such as animals and nursery rhymes. Around 1900 puzzles were being made for adults. These puzzles were not interlocking as they are today which made them extremely difficult.

Wooden puzzles were hand-made and very expensive so they tended to be a luxury item which only the rich could afford. Cardboard puzzles were introduced around the 1800's and were mainly children's puzzles.

An American company, Parker Brothers, introduced figure pieces into some of their puzzles which made puzzles easier to assemble. From 1909, Parker Brothers ceased making other games completely and concentrated on the puzzle market.

The 1920's saw the Golden Age for puzzles. Companies such as Chad Valley and Victory began producing puzzles. Chad Valley also made puzzles for the Great Western Railway Company.

Nowadays there are still a wide range of puzzles available. These can vary from the straightforward cardboard puzzle to puzzle games. There are 3D puzzles which come in a variety of forms. Enid Blyton books have also been adapted to form puzzles and are a wide range of "Cluedo" / Crime detection puzzles also available.