Dear visitor.
You may wonder the old fashioned name of this exhibition: MEKAANILLISIA ARVOITUKSIA. J.Mela translated the concept "mechanical puzzle" so while translating in 1894 the book of Carl Smith: Pastimes on natural history & other things: physics, chemistry, mechanics, magic tricks etc.
The most common Finnish name of the items in the exhibition is "pulmalelu" (puzzle toy) which does not correspond to the English term mechanical puzzle. Although puzzles like these have been also children's toys, the main part of these items are something else but toys. The solution of a puzzle may be extremely difficult, some of the puzzles are very valuable - some are very rare, there are only a few (even only one) items of the puzzle in the whole world. T here are some reasons why I don't think these items to be toys..
While collecting puzzles during many decades I have tried to invent a Finnish word to describe them better than "pulmalelu". Forty years ago in army one fellow said that I built "brain traps" (aivoansa). I think that it is quite a good name especially for wire and other tanglement puzzles.
The exhibition consists of a small part of my collection. I own the displayed items expect three things: Tangram-stamps, micro-burr, and the 2D-puzzle made from hand made paper. My collection would not be so large as it is without my puzzle friends all over the world - I owe many thanks to them. I also want to mention my puzzle friends in Finland, who have helped and encouraged me in this hobby. In the FPP last summer there were 19 puzzlers - there is puzzle life even in Finland.
The Finnish Stamp Centre borrowed the set of TANGRAM-stamp first day covers to introduce the possibilities of this game. Eero Hellsten has made the figures. Many thanks to them. Especially I want to mention the following persons and thank them: Jerry Slocum has been an inspiring example to me in building this exhibition, Frans de Vreugd has made the puzzle animations, Allan Boardman was brave enough to lend the valuable micro burr, William Waite sent his puzzles, Pekka Agarth and Antti Närhi designed the marvellous poster, Pekka Laakkonen and Veijo Lipponen helped in making larger puzzles for public to solve. I must not forget the manager of the Kainuu Museum, Antti Mäkinen, who believed that my collection is worth the first exhibition in the museum during the 350. jubileum year of the city of Kajaani. As the most important person I must mention my wife, who once again has tolerated the chaos in our home.
In the exhibition I try to give a view of the interesting, fascinating and complicated world of mechanical puzzles. They really are something else but " pieces of wood", which some of my friends think I am playing with. However my own interest in wooden puzzles - burrs, boxes, packing problems etc. - can be seen in the exhibition.
Take a closer look at the exhibition keeping your mind open, try to solve the puzzles. If you have something to ask or if you want to know more about mechanical puzzles, don't hesitate to contact me.
Welcome to the puzzle world! I hope that you'll find it interesting.