An idea can look impossible until anyone has found a solution to do it. The same thing applies to the Egg of Columbus Puzzle. When it first released, it was only a puzzle. It came as a surprise to everyone that an egg stood upright when its bottom was crushed.
Since then, this puzzle has become the reason for many significant innovations. Recently, Tesla devised a machine that could illustrate the concept of the Columbus egg puzzle.
If you are looking for comprehensive information about the Egg of Columbus Puzzle, you have come to the right place. Here, we have rounded up all the details that you need to know about this innovative and exciting puzzle game.
So, read this article to navigate through the mystery of this puzzle and gain a deeper understanding of it. Let’s get started…
First off, let’s take a look at the story behind this intriguing game. Here we go…
The Story Behind the Columbus Egg Puzzle
The Egg of Columbus Puzzle has become a very popular riddle among riddle enthusiasts. However, the story behind this game is also very popular and, yes, intriguing as well. Let’s discover the incident that originated this puzzle game here.
It all started at a party where Columbus was dining with Nobel Spaniards. They were calling the discovery of the Indies only an accident. On listening to these remarks, Columbus decided to say nothing. Instead, he decided to show them his strong willpower, commitment, and desire in his tasks.
He held an egg and made it stand vertically. Then, he challenged noblemen to make the egg stand straight like him. Many people came ahead to make an egg stand straight but they could not do it.
When no one else could accomplish the task, Columbus confidently struck the egg’s broader side down on the table, causing it to miraculously stand upright. This was again surprising for spectators. They were amazed to see all this, and at the same time, they thought why they could not do it.
Columbus cleared it to everyone in simple words. He said that it was not strength or skill that had made him stand the egg on its pointed end. It was his determination and strong desire that made him do it.
The idea has gone viral since then. This story has inspired many manufacturers to create mechanical toys and puzzles on the concept of the egg of Columbus.
Also See: 10 Best Minecraft Puzzle Ideas
What Is Egg of Columbus Puzzle (Tangram Puzzle)
The Egg of Columbus puzzle is a brain teaser game inspired by the story of Christopher Columbus and the egg. The term “Egg of Columbus” is used to describe an innovative idea or discovery that appears straightforward or evident in hindsight. The puzzle usually presents a challenge that requires someone to solve a problem using a direct and clever approach.
Richter, a German toy manufacturer, took inspiration from the story of Columbus mentioned above. Finally, he decided to manufacture the Egg of Columbus Puzzle. Its production ceased in 1963. However, it once again began in the early years of the 21st century.
Ritcher designed a dissection puzzle that had a flat egg-like shape. The puzzle is divided into 9-10 pieces by straight cuts, creating a flat egg-like shape. The main objective of the players is to rearrange small pieces into a new shape.
How Did Ivan Mosovich Solve the Mystery of the Egg of Columbus Puzzle?
Ivan Mosovich, a famous puzzle setter, solved the mystery of the Egg of Columbus Puzzle. It began when he saw a toy in the shape of an egg. Most specifically, that egg was inspired by the story of Christopher Columbus. Then, he tried to balance the egg to its pointed end but he could not do it.
The only way to make the egg stand straight was to follow the instructions given on the box. Following were the instructions outlined on the box:
- First off, place the egg on a flat surface and hold it up on its pointed side for at least 30 seconds
- Then, turn the egg and wait for 10 seconds. Then, again, place it on the pointed side.
At last, he could stand the egg upright for approximately 15 seconds. Later on, the balance of the egg began to shake and ultimately toppled onto the level surface. He came to the realization that by following the same instructions, he could stand the egg upright.
Let’s now take a look at the special features of mechanical egg toys. Here we go…
- The mechanical egg contains a small cylinder at an angle
- That cylinder contains a viscous liquid and a piston. (The piston is small yet heavy because it takes about 70 seconds to slide from one cylinder to another cylinder)
- That piston can stand for about 10 seconds in its balanced stage.
Different Variations
The classic Egg of Columbus puzzle aims to make an egg stand. However, the modern variations include different objects or scenarios where players need to think outside of the box in order to solve the puzzle. The key here is to challenge conventional thinking and utilize creative problem-solving skills.
Ideal For
Egg of Columbus puzzle is one of the most innovative puzzle games that can be played by people in any setting, including institutes, offices, events, and so on. This puzzle game requires people to use simple yet creative approach to solve the puzzle. This is one of the best puzzle games to encourage creative thinking, problem-solving skills in individuals.
The End Note
So, this is all about the Egg of Columbus Puzzle. Hope that you have liked the article. The mystery of the Columbus egg puzzle is not only intriguing but also inspirational. It focuses not only on the idea that people can make things happen with determination and willpower, but also encourages individuals to think outside the box.
In addition, this puzzle game also teaches an important lesson about innovation and creativity. It shows that certain problems do not require complex solutions; in fact, you can resolve them with unexacting solutions if at all you are willing to think differently.
