Frabjous -- (Special Edition) ($59.00 + shipping) First of all, I would like to thank my fellow collector friend Rob Stegmann for having displayed this wonderful puzzle/sculpture on his website, which I surf from time to time. This is how I found out about it, and instantly fell in awe of its sparkling beauty -- and accesability of purchase.
George W. Hart is Chief of Content at the newly formed Museum of Mathematics (MoMath) in New York City. He comes to this position with an interdisciplinary background as sculptor, scholar, mathematician, engineer, writer, computer scientist, and educator. His geometric sculptures are recognized around the world for their mathematical depth and creative use of materials. He is a pioneer in using computer technology and solid freeform fabrication in the design and fabrication of sculptures.
One of his magnificent sculpture/puzzles is being offered at a reasonable price for the general public.
Its name: Frabjous
The 'Special Edition' version is made of ACRYLITE® Radiant acrylic sheeting -- lazer cut to the spiraling pieces that make up the sculpture/puzzle -- which has the ability to create dazzling color changes and dramatic eye-catching movement, all without specialty lighting! ACRYLITE Radiant sheet magically shimmers with iridescent colors that change as the viewer moves.
Another less-expensive version being sold is one where all the 31 pieces are in blue (sculpture/puzzle consists of 30 identical pieces -- one extra is provided) .
There are three sources one can purchase this magnificent sculpture/puzzle:
Artifacture in Dallas, and at the MoMath online shop , and Artifact's Etsy shop
According to the fine folks at Artifacture:
Mathematically, the planes of the shape are the face planes of a "great rhombic triacontahedron," a self-intersecting polyhedron with thirty rhombic faces. But the puzzle piece is a carefully designed subset of the rhombus that doesn't intersect copies of itself.
Weaving the parts through each other so each remains planar is trickier than it looks. Instructions are included.
Recommended for ages 16+.
The word Frabjous is, of course, from Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll, "O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!"
Product Details :
The special edition Frabjous is a sculpture and geometric assembly puzzle made from dichroic acrylic. The swirling geometric form is composed of thirty identical pieces that catch and reflect the light in stunning fashion.
-George Hart, Artist
Manufactured by: Artifacture
Museum of Mathematics (MoMath)
Merchant SKU: FRAB-RAD-LF
30 identical pieces combine to form a beautiful sculpture
Finished size 6" x 6" x 6"
Designed by Mathematician George Hart
Made from laser cut, dichroic acrylic
Made in the USA
Comments: The product comes with a pair of cotton gloves . . . to keep any fingerprints from soiling any section of the sculpture/puzzle during assembly, thus interfering with the displaying of the beautiful iridescent colors that are produced.
Also, you are supplied with one extra piece (for a total of 31) -- in case you get a little more irritable than usual in the assembly, and apply a little bit too much pressure at some point, whereby you crack a piece.
Thank You to the folks at Artifacture. Nice touch.
Instructions are supplied with the kit. However, the instructions only go so far. The instructions were a help as far as the vortex pieces overlapping each one in succession in a clockwise rotation, for the first 10 pieces (module #1).
Besides showing the entire solution, a video on YouTube helps in viewing the 'verticle' pieces and their placements (in between module #1 and module #2).
The 3rd phase (module #2) was a little tricky. Here's where I slowed up considerably trying to establish a perspective as to how I was to proceed. At some point, it hit me . . . . . looking at all the spirals.
Keychain S-rings
Very tricky ! Even after you've done it once - most likely by accident - you'll still have trouble attempting it a second time ( or maybe even a third ) .
Keychain Star Shuttle
This is a very frustrating puzzle to solve . You have to catch just the right angle to free the star from its shuttle .
Keychain Keys
Once you find the right combination of 'workable' surface notches, the keys will then separate .
Happy Cube
A hollow-boxed 3D jigsaw .
The Happy Cube -- as well as the Cricro and Snuzzles puzzle cubes -- are made from a material which is a gentle high-quality soft foam that feels like an eraser - invented by Dirk Laureyssens .
Bent Nails For those of you who would like an idea of how hefty they are : a 16d galvanized nail is very close to being .168" (2.68/16") in diameter . These bent nails are slightly thicker (probably 20d) : .208" ( 3.33/16") thick steel nails, bought off a friend who got it from a Cracker Barrel restaurant in Derry, NH .
IQ Circle A plastic tangram with its own case .
Satan's Stirrups
This was purchased from a barn sale in New Boston, NH, whose items were acquired from abandoned estates . The square wrought iron stock that the general bulk of this puzzle is made up with is a whopping .241" (3.86/16") in thickness .
This is also known elsewhere on the web as Bit & Brace .
This puzzle is one of many 'tavern puzzles' originally made by Dennis Sucilsky, "a museum trained traditional blacksmith who is able to use his knowledge of iron-working and tool making for the production of these metal puzzles." "The earliest Tavern Puzzles® are based on designs centuries old. New styles are added on a regular basis; some of these are original designs, others are new versions of classics."
"Tavern Puzzles® evolved from reproductions of hand-forged artifacts that Dennis Sucilsky came across while researching architectural ironware."
One can view the full line of these great metal wonders here at www.tavernpuzzle.com .
The following puzzles have all been purchased at a retail puzzle shop called Piece Time Puzzles in Northwood, NH, operated by a very friendly husband/wife team -- Rose and Mark Stevens -- since 1996. It is located in a large barn in the midst of Northwood, NH’s “Antique Alley”, a stretch of antique shops, galleries, and restaurants on Rte 4 .
Sticked Triangles made by The Mandalay Box Co.
. . . pieces ( 8 triangles - 12 dowels )
A little more complicated ( more pieces ) than DownUnder's version called Ball in a Tepee . Actually, my puzzle makes up exactly two of the 'Ball in a Tepee' . . . intertwined . All the triangles are the same . . . four were placed on opposite sides to show contrast between entry and exit points of each hole, drilled approximately at a 58° angle .
4 Ts . . . from Binary Arts .
There are two sides to this puzzle . The other being slightly smaller in square area .
The T puzzle was used to advertise White Rose Ceylon tea in 1903 .
Double Square from Aha Brainteaser Classics, the Thinkfun people at Binary Arts .
This puzzle is a two-parter . First, this one using 4 pieces (3" square) . The next picture shows the same puzzle using a fifth piece (a miniature square) making the second large square ( 3 1/4" square ) . One source for this puzzle can be viewed at education.puzzles.com
Double Square
The fifth piece (a small square) has been added .
Jigsaw Jewel from Aha Brainteaser Classics, the Thinkfun people at Binary Arts .
Very well made .
Jigsaw Jewel . . . pieces
Jigsaw Ball from Aha Brainteaser Classics, the Thinkfun people at Binary Arts .
Jigsaw Ball . . . pieces
2 Triangles / U
miniature
This is the first in a series of the next 5 miniature copies of the full-size Tavern Puzzles . Made in China by Out Of Bounds . Designed & distributed by Robmar Corp. of Manchester, NH .
Heart / Dogbone miniature
Also known as Uncle's Sweetheart and Puzzletts Heart .
Cross_U_Triangle miniature
Known elsewhere on the web as Uncle's Gingerbread Puzle and Conestoga Playmate .
Butterfly miniature
Anomoly miniature
Horseshoes . . . elongated miniature
This was acquired at a local yard sale .
Radius . . . made by The Mandalay Box Co.
A 4-tiered cylinder puzzle that resembles Pandora's Box on my "E-Bay" page . Also known as Cylinder Puzzle at the WingsToys.com site .
Pieces
4pc tapered jigsaw Looks simple, but cunning !
. . . made by Binary Arts
4pc Pyramid . . . made by Binary Arts .
. . . . . 4 identical pieces
Elephant Spinout . . . made by Binary Arts .
As with the Chinese Puzzle Rings, The Brain and The Tower of Creation, this is based on the binary system for solving .
. . . closeup
There is only one place - on the left - where the individual elephants can make their turns; and also across the track - the curved edge on the right - used as a stop for those not turned .
. . . reset
The closed end of the track is hinged, and readily opens to allow the entire race of elephants to be taken out, or to reset their orientations and be re-inserted back into the track .
Horse . . . . . 25 pieces
Gorilla. . . . . 26 pieces
Bear. . . . . 22 pieces
Walrus. . . . . 23 pieces
Dolphin . . . . . 43 pieces
Internal Combustion
This puzzle is made out of solid aluminum . It was sold by Bits & Pieces until recently, which they now have discontinued .
Besides getting this puzzle at Piece Time Puzzles . . . . . as I did, other sources for purchase can be found at Games & Puzzles and the 'Executive Metal' section of Puzzles DownUnder . Also at Mr Puzzle of Australia .
An exquisitely aesthetically-pleasing wood version, known on the web as: Nightmare Box
. . . . . (formerly Shuffle Box ) . . . . . which is made out of Thailand's own beautiful “Raintree” wood, and according to its website, is "a non endangered and renewed tree from northern Thailand that has the grain structure and appearance of Teak", can be viewed for purchase here at Creative Crafthouse .
pieces .
Not as easy as you may think .
the Shell
Lunatic Lock
Brushed aluminum . Made by Puzzle Makers International . Currently also sold on Bits & Pieces .
. . . . . pieces
A tricky mechanism if you have no idea how or where to start .
Although I have given you a rare viewing of the innards' mechanism, there are still more secrets to be seen at the solution page . .
Man The Torpedo
Aluminum and brass . Made by Puzzle Makers International . Currently also sold on Bits & Pieces .
Starting the solution
If you can get to this point, which starts the solution, you've got it made .
Free The Key
Aluminum key with brass ring . Made by Puzzle Makers International . Currently also sold on Bits & Pieces .
Crossteaser
Another Rubik's type sequential puzzle .
. . . . . closeup of cross-armed pieces
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Double W
This was acquired at a local yard sale for $1.00
Known as 'Cast Devil' by the Hanayama people.
Other packaging titles are 'Twin Tangle' -- 'The Match -- 'MW Puzzle' -- 'Menace'.
The solution can be seen here .
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Fractus
An interesting study of aesthetic geometry from the good folks at Frik - n - Frak .
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Six identical pieces form a facsimile of two pyramids intersecting.
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Tripod . . . . . from elog IQ
"Toys that exercise your brain!"
~ solve for COLORS -- solve for LETTERS -- solve for ARROW COLORS ~
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. . . an entire side turns, as well as each knob at the extremeties .
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Magnetic Globe
. . . . . designed by Albert J. Hall, Patent # 5826872 .
The text on the black plastic base reads: "Mind Walk Inc" .
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. . . . . a partial look inside
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. . . . . 32 pieces
(20 large hexagonal )
(12 small pentagonal )
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Rubik's Ice Cube
Bought at Toys-R-Us .
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6 Tabbed Planks
Bought from Pavel's Puzzles .
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pieces
Comments in regards to this puzzle can be read here
You can view the solution here
CYCLONE puzzle . . . from www.officeplayground.com
This puzzle is the product of IQ lightTM , a self assembly lighting system made up of interlocking quadrilaterals.
According to the folks there, "The IQ lightTM system was designed in 1972 by Danish designer Holger Strøm, who was then working at the Kilkenny Design Workshops, Ireland."
Making your own puzzle can be seen here
Trick Treasure Box . . . from Piece Time Puzzles .
One has to try to find out how to open the 'trick' drawer .
cast RING . . . from Piece Time Puzzles
According to the description on PuzzleMaster's webpage for this puzzle, "This puzzle is based on an original called the 'Puzzle Ring'. Popularized in 15th century Europe, this ring style was actually used for official engagement and marriage rings. Christian reformist, Martin Luther, was even known to wear one. It is rumored to prove as evidence of its wearer's adultery...when it comes apart into pieces. That's quite a history contained in this little puzzle."
-NOB 2000-
Star Czech . . . . . 12-pc Lucite 'stars'
Yet another great work of art from my good friend Pavel Curtis.
An excerpt from Pavel's Puzzle Blog states : "I decided that the pieces would rotate into position, using some kind of interlocking, hook-shaped protrusions on the edges of each face; that would still entail fairly wide (deep?) hooks, due to the shallow angle, but avoid any piece deformation during assembly."
You can view the solution here
The solution can be viewed here
Each of the 6 pieces has 12 sub-cubes, making the whole puzzle with a total of 72 sub-cubes !
LiveCube's Double Bar puzzle
pieces
LiveCube's Keyholes puzzle
2 halves
(All 6 pieces are identical) Create these two halves . . . turn one of them over . . . 
and start to fit them into each other 
. . . almost closed 
Done !
