GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Statistics About The Most Ancient Crossword

The most ancient crossword known dates back to the 2nd century AD and was found in the ruins of Pompeii.

Last Updated: June 23, 2024

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In the following post, we explore the rich history and evolution of the most ancient crossword puzzles, tracing their origins from ancient word puzzles to the globally popular pastime they are today. From the earliest known cryptic puzzles created during World War II to the solidification of modern formats and rules in the 1940s, join us on a journey through the fascinating world of crosswords.

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"Crosswords are now published in multiple languages, reaching global popularity."

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"Primo Levi created one of the earliest known cryptic crossword puzzles while imprisoned during World War II."

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"The longest crossword puzzle on record featured 91,000 empty squares to fill in."

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"In ancient Greek and Roman literature, word puzzles called "grammateion" were common."

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"The first recognized published crossword puzzle was created by Arthur Wynne and appeared in the New York World on December 21, 1913."

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"Crosswords were used during WWII by the British military to help recruit codebreakers."

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"The first known word puzzle similar to a crossword appeared in the Roman Empire around 300 AD."

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"The format and rules of modern crosswords were solidified in the 1940s."

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"The 9x9 grid became a standard format for crosswords in the 1920s."

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"The New York Times crossword is considered the most prestigious and widely recognized crossword puzzle in the world."

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"The crossword puzzle published in 1913 by Arthur Wynne used a diamond-shaped grid with no black squares."

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"Early crosswords weren't always symmetric and often contained unchecked letters."

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"Dell Magazine started publishing crossword puzzle magazines in 1931."

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"The New York Times began publishing crosswords in 1942 to provide readers with a distraction from World War II news."

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"Simon & Schuster published the first crossword puzzle book in 1924, which become an instant success."

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"Arthur Wynne’s puzzle was initially called a “Word-Cross” puzzle, later becoming known as a “Cross-Word” puzzle."

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"Crosswords in the form closest to today's puzzles started appearing in the early 20th century."

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"Digital transformation saw the introduction of online crossword websites and apps from the early 2000s."

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"The history of crosswords can trace back to word puzzles and word squares used by the ancient Romans."

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"The original 1913 crossword puzzle by Arthur Wynne had no clues, only a numbered grid."

In conclusion, the history of crosswords is rich and diverse, spanning ancient civilizations to modern digital platforms. From the earliest known cryptic crossword puzzles created during World War II to the standardized grid format established in the 1940s, crosswords have evolved significantly over time. With crosswords being utilized in various contexts, including wartime recruitment and publication in prestigious newspapers like The New York Times, it is evident that this form of word puzzle has captured the interest of a global audience. The continuous innovation and adaptation of crosswords highlight their enduring popularity and significance in the realm of puzzles and brain teasers.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik is the Co-Founder of Gitnux and has been working in the digital space since 2016. He is specialized in content and tech.

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