Why Is It Called a Jigsaw Puzzle? The Tool Behind the Name

The name comes directly from the tool used to cut the pieces: a jig saw (also spelled jigsaw).

Brief History

• Pre-1760s: "Dissected maps" and pictures were hand-cut with knives — slow, imprecise, expensive.
• 1760s–1800s: The treadle-operated jig saw (thin reciprocating blade) enabled intricate, interlocking curves at scale.
• Mid-19th Century: Plywood and improved saws made puzzles affordable; "jigsaw puzzle" became the common term.
• 20th Century: Die-cut cardboard replaced wood, but the name stuck.

So while you're fitting cardboard tabs today, you're honoring an 18th-century woodworking innovation.