Ball-in-a-maze puzzle
Encyclopedia
Ball-in-a-maze puzzles are dexterity puzzles which involve manipulating either a maze
(or labyrinth
) or one or several balls so that the ball or balls are manoeuvered towards a goal. Toys like this have been popular since Pigs in Clover was invented by Charles Martin Crandall
in the 1880s, with the patent being applied for in 1889.
In some versions a wooden labyrinth is tilted using two knobs and the ball has to be navigated past a series of holes and obstacles. A magnet is used in other versions where the balls have to be manipulated rather than the maze. Perplexus is an example of a 3D ball-in-a-maze. Recently a large number of virtual versions have become available.
Maze
A maze is a tour puzzle in the form of a complex branching passage through which the solver must find a route. In everyday speech, both maze and labyrinth denote a complex and confusing series of pathways, but technically the maze is distinguished from the labyrinth, as the labyrinth has a single...
(or labyrinth
Labyrinth
In Greek mythology, the Labyrinth was an elaborate structure designed and built by the legendary artificer Daedalus for King Minos of Crete at Knossos...
) or one or several balls so that the ball or balls are manoeuvered towards a goal. Toys like this have been popular since Pigs in Clover was invented by Charles Martin Crandall
Charles Martin Crandall
Charles Martin Crandall was an American inventor and toy-maker. He was best known for various toy blocks, "Crandall's Acrobats", "Noah's Dominoes", "Illuminated Pictorial Alphabet", "District School", "Menagerie", "Pigs in Clover" game and numerous other games and wooden toys such as wooden trains...
in the 1880s, with the patent being applied for in 1889.
In some versions a wooden labyrinth is tilted using two knobs and the ball has to be navigated past a series of holes and obstacles. A magnet is used in other versions where the balls have to be manipulated rather than the maze. Perplexus is an example of a 3D ball-in-a-maze. Recently a large number of virtual versions have become available.