December 21, 1913

On This Date in TWISTED-HISTORY.com! in 1913, the “New York World” Sunday edition included a crossword puzzle as an added feature of the “Fun” supplement. It was the first crossword puzzle to be published (according to the ‘New York World’) and the question “pen vs pencil” was forever added to all dating establishments.

About Joel Byers

Born in North Georgia and educated at some very fine public institutions. Real education started after graduating from college and then getting married and raising two boys. Has the ability to see the funny and absurd in most things and will always remark on it, even if it means getting the stink-eye from his victims.
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One Response to December 21, 1913

  1. Frustrated Puzzle Enthusiast says:

    Dear Editor,

    I am writing to you to complain about this latest addition to the so-called “Fun” supplement of your newspaper. I refer specifically to this new cross words puzzle. I can assure you that I muttered more than a few cross words while attempting it (so much so, in fact, that my dear wife was overcome with the vapors and forced to retire early), but at no point did I experience anything, even remotely resembling, “fun”.

    This is not so much a puzzle as a pointless exercise in futility. I mean obviously I know the answer to 8 Down, but how can it have a “G” as the third letter?! It’s truly maddening.

    I sincerely hope that this is merely a one-time aberration, a fad perhaps, and that it will pass away as quickly as it arrived to stain the pages of your otherwise outstanding periodical. If not, please consider this letter to be a cancellation of my subscription. I know that seems extreme, but I have no choice. My nerves simply can not take any more of your cross words, to say nothing of my wife (the poor dear is simply beside herself over this whole sordid business).

    With my fondest regards,
    A Former Subscriber

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