Steve Richardson
Encyclopedia
Steve Richardson is an American
puzzle creator and founder of Stave Puzzles
.
until 1969 when they moved to Vermont
. Soon after arriving in Vermont, Richardson started a game design business with artist Dave Tibbetts.
, Barbara Bush
, and the Queen of England
. "We have a sadomasochistic relationship with our customers," says Richardson.
As a puzzle innovator, Richardson is credited with inventing the "Phony Corner" (a corner that's not a corner) and the "Whammy Edge" (edge pieces that abut rather than interlock). Richardson carries on a long tradition of wood puzzle manufacturers that includes names such as Par, Straus, and Parker Brothers
(as Pastime Puzzles). Richardson’s puzzles never include a picture of the puzzle with the box and many puzzles contain hidden messages, custom shaped pieces, and even extra pieces that do not fit into the puzzle.
Richardson "prides himself on his company's high-quality products and attentive customer service".
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
puzzle creator and founder of Stave Puzzles
Stave Puzzles
Stave Puzzles is an American jigsaw puzzle company located in Norwich, Vermont. The company was started in 1969 by Steve Richardson and Dave Tibbetts, the name being a combination of their two first names. They manufacture hand cut jigsaw puzzles made from cherry-backed, 5-layered, 1/4" wood...
.
Early life
Steve Richardson was formerly a student of math and computer science. He lived with his wife in New JerseyNew Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
until 1969 when they moved to Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
. Soon after arriving in Vermont, Richardson started a game design business with artist Dave Tibbetts.
Stave Puzzles
Stave Puzzles was born in 1974 when a client offered $300 for a wooden jigsaw puzzle and Richardson and Tibbetts jumped at the opportunity. Richardson and Tibbetts combined their first names to form the name ‘Stave’. In 1976 Richardson bought out Tibbetts for $1 and a jigsaw. Richardson adopted the title ‘Chief Tormentor’ in 1978 and in the following years begin to receive national attention for his innovative puzzle designs. Clients of Richardson’s designs include Bill GatesBill Gates
William Henry "Bill" Gates III is an American business magnate, investor, philanthropist, and author. Gates is the former CEO and current chairman of Microsoft, the software company he founded with Paul Allen...
, Barbara Bush
Barbara Bush
Barbara Pierce Bush is the wife of the 41st President of the United States George H. W. Bush, and served as First Lady of the United States from 1989 to 1993. She is the mother of the 43rd President George W. Bush and of the 43rd Governor of Florida Jeb Bush...
, and the Queen of England
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
. "We have a sadomasochistic relationship with our customers," says Richardson.
As a puzzle innovator, Richardson is credited with inventing the "Phony Corner" (a corner that's not a corner) and the "Whammy Edge" (edge pieces that abut rather than interlock). Richardson carries on a long tradition of wood puzzle manufacturers that includes names such as Par, Straus, and Parker Brothers
Parker Brothers
Parker Brothers is a toy and game manufacturer and brand. Since 1883, the company has published more than 1,800 games; among their best known products are Monopoly, Cluedo , Sorry, Risk, Trivial Pursuit, Ouija, Aggravation, and Probe...
(as Pastime Puzzles). Richardson’s puzzles never include a picture of the puzzle with the box and many puzzles contain hidden messages, custom shaped pieces, and even extra pieces that do not fit into the puzzle.
Richardson "prides himself on his company's high-quality products and attentive customer service".