Comments on: Comments on 20335

Post number 20335

Shadowkeeper — Thu, 26 Sep 2002 10:15:42 -0800

Nonograms (also known as "Griddlers" or "Paint By Numbers") were invented by Non Ishida in 1987. Originally trying to design pictures that could be created by turning the lights on or off in the windows of skyscrapers, Ishida soon realized that the same principle could used as the basis for a new genre of logic puzzle. Since then, enigmatologists around the world have wasted hours solving them online and completing entire books of these elegant brainteasers.

By: Shadowkeeper

Shadowkeeper — Thu, 26 Sep 2002 10:17:25 -0800

I should point out that Non Ishida is one of several people credited with the invention of Nonograms. I should also point out that, if you enjoy puzzles, you'll want to stay the hell away from that "solving them online" link if you have any projects with a Friday deadline. If that site gets MeFi'd, here's an extensive list of other online Nonogram sites.

By: starvingartist

starvingartist — Thu, 26 Sep 2002 10:22:09 -0800

Thanks, Shadowkeeper! I love these puzzles! Every time I travel I buy the latest edition of Games magazine, and these are my favorite section.

By: starvingartist

starvingartist — Thu, 26 Sep 2002 10:55:46 -0800

What did I say?

By: Joey Michaels

Joey Michaels — Thu, 26 Sep 2002 11:07:11 -0800

grumble grumble... so much to do today... grumble grumble... not enough hours... grumble complain... deadlines looming... grumble grumble... well, I'll just check Metafilter for a moment and... hey! What's this Nonogram site? Ah, work can wait until Friday. Or maybe Monday. Thanks for the link.

By: ashbury

ashbury — Thu, 26 Sep 2002 11:24:01 -0800

Cool, I'm an enigmatologist! And to think that I never knew this about myself. Well, I just finished the first easy one and am well on my way to solving the next one. Now I have something to do while my boy naps for the afternoon. Neat link, shadowkeeper--thanks!

By: iconomy

iconomy — Thu, 26 Sep 2002 11:39:21 -0800

Thank you, Shadowkeeper. I think you've saved my marriage. Now I can stop hiding my Games Magazines under my side of the mattress. Paint By Numbers are such addictive little stinkers.

By: patgas

patgas — Thu, 26 Sep 2002 12:14:34 -0800

I was addicted to Mario Picross for the Game Boy back in its day. I had tried finding more about the game, thinking they were always called "picross", but no luck... until now!

By: badstone

badstone — Thu, 26 Sep 2002 13:35:18 -0800

Nonograms rule - they're one of the few games that work pretty well on a handheld.

By: Secret Life of Gravy

Secret Life of Gravy — Thu, 26 Sep 2002 15:21:23 -0800

Hey I already have that book! Why haven't they come out with another one?

By: Shadowkeeper

Shadowkeeper — Thu, 26 Sep 2002 16:02:25 -0800

Gravy: Tah-dah!

By: Secret Life of Gravy

Secret Life of Gravy — Thu, 26 Sep 2002 16:13:11 -0800

Thank you, Shadowkeeper. That'll give me something to do on those long plane rides to LA.

By: meep

meep — Thu, 26 Sep 2002 18:34:27 -0800

Yeah, I've been hooked on these bad boys since about 1994. I got some super-sized books when I was in Japan (with full-page pixel pics of Audrey Hepburn or Humphrey Bogart -- pretty cool.) The books linked to by Shadowkeeper are by Conceptis Tech, an Israeli company that I've been "testing" puzzles for for over a year now. If you join their site (which is free), you can take a look at the puzzle they made of my face.

By: jess

jess — Thu, 26 Sep 2002 18:35:36 -0800

I've obsessively done these puzzles in Games magazine for years, but never heard the term "nonograms" before. I like it.. it sounds a little more austere to the uninitiated than "paint-by-number puzzles". Thanks for the great links, Shadowkeeper: Now I'm not going to sleep all weekend!

By: taz

taz — Thu, 26 Sep 2002 23:01:13 -0800

Thanks for the links! I've been living outside the US, with no access to my beloved "Games Magazine" for many years now, and missed the invasion of the nonogram. These are great fun!

By: stefanie

stefanie — Thu, 26 Sep 2002 23:49:39 -0800

Curse you, Shadowkeeper. Now I'll never get to bed.

By: stoneegg21

stoneegg21 — Sun, 29 Sep 2002 19:27:38 -0800

Just so you guys know, there's a program of these available from Everett Kaser, at www.kaser.com called Descartes Enigma. It's about 20 bucks, but there's a shareware with a bunch of 'em. Would have commented earlier, but I wanted to wait to check these out till I had a few free minutes.