Sadism is not a word you would associate with puzzles but for Stave Puzzles, inflicting suffering is the very basis of its appeal. And we mean that in the most positive sense – after all, consider how its customer list is littered with names of corporate bigwigs heading Fortune 500 companies. It must be doing something pretty unique for esteemed names such as Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos and even Queen Elizabeth II to be ardent fans.
Stave, located in Norwich, Vermont, is one of a few companies that still produces wooden jigsaw puzzles; each cherry-backed piece is cut by hand. And, since its start in 1974, it has been devising puzzles with devious tricks at varying levels of difficulty.
Consider the Olivia octopus puzzle. With pieces that fit in more than one place, there are 10,000 ways to assemble it – of which only one is correct. Throughout its stable of works, Stave mischievously weaves in challenges such as the absence of straight-edged pieces or embedding them into the body of a puzzle to mislead a fan. It also creates pieces that are similar in shape and colour to confuse, and even makes puzzles that fit snugly at the borders – but with voids in the interior to befuddle.
Denne historien er fra April 2020-utgaven av The PEAK Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prÞveperiode pÄ Magzter GOLD for Ä fÄ tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ?  Logg pÄ
Denne historien er fra April 2020-utgaven av The PEAK Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prÞveperiode pÄ Magzter GOLD for Ä fÄ tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg pÄ
From Screen to Store
Heini Zachariassen, founder of global wine rating app Vivino on how its first retail store in the world brings data-driven curation to wine lovers.
In the Dining Spotlight
Renowned Dutch chef Sergio Herman, whose name has been associated with the Michelin Guide in the Netherlands and Belgium, is expanding his Asian footprint with his Singapore outpost, Le Pristine in Grand Hyatt Singapore.
All for One
How would you navigate a corner if you were hearing-impaired or enjoy school if you were on the spectrum? These architects posit that inclusive design must be part of mainstream standards to improve overall living environments.
Pods and Swirling Staircases
This quirky and playful home designed by Park Associates is shaped after its owners, a young family with three children.
Stories Behind the Kebava
Sufiyanto A. S., one half of the duo behind the Kebaya.Societe Instagram account, has had enough of seeing Malay identity erased and forgotten.
Good to Go
Driving classic Jaguars on the legendary Goodwood Motor Circuit is all the magic a motorhead needs.
Seasons of the Snake
Japanese architect Tadao Ando once again works his magic for Bvlgari, with the Serpenti Tubogas as an artistic canvas for nature's cyclical transformation.
Phoenix Rising
One gutsy retired pharmaceutical executive rescued two-century-old Swiss watchmaker Bovet, and today, its presence is stronger than ever in Southeast Asia.
Con Amore, Leggiero, Presto!
Chan Weitian injects new insights into Presto Drycleaners, blending operational innovation with time-honoured values.
Preserving Paradise
Gaya Island Resort takes eco-tourism beyond the expected, blending conservation efforts with authentic luxury.
