Altekruse Puzzle facts for kids
Altekruse Puzzle is a special type of burr puzzle invented by Austrian inventor William Altekruse. It's a tricky brain-teaser made of interlocking wooden pieces.
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Discovering the Altekruse Puzzle
The Altekruse Puzzle is a famous mechanical puzzle. It was created by William Altekruse. He was an inventor from Austria. He received a special patent for his puzzle in 1890.
This puzzle is known for being symmetrical. It is usually made from 12 separate pieces. When put together, these pieces form a solid shape.
Who Was William Altekruse?
William Altekruse was born in a family with Austrian-German roots. The name "Altekruse" actually means "old cross" in German. Some people thought this was a made-up name because of the puzzle's shape. But it was his real family name!
William Altekruse moved to the United States in 1844. He was a young man at the time. He came with his three brothers. They moved to avoid military service in Germany.
How Does the Altekruse Puzzle Work?
The Altekruse Puzzle is different from many other puzzles. Most burr puzzles have one "key" piece. You remove this piece first to start taking the puzzle apart.
The Altekruse Puzzle works in a unique way. To start taking it apart, two halves of the puzzle move. They slide away from each other. This is different from puzzles with a single key piece.
Taking the Puzzle Apart
The way the puzzle comes apart can change. It depends on how the pieces are put together. This special action can happen along one, two, or even three directions. However, it can only happen in one direction at a time. This makes the Altekruse Puzzle a fun and challenging brain-teaser!