Ma's Puzzle

a.k.a. Spirit of '76, Wooden Puzzle, Rectangle Puzzle
Patented by C. L. A. Diamond, 1927.
(orange cardboard box and 9 wood pieces, 4 by 4 by 1/2 inch)

Starting with the position shown below, slide the pieces so that the two L's form a 3 high by 2 wide rectangle in the upper right corner. Described on pages 16-17 of the 1942 Filipiak book (which presents a 56 move solution). Hordern's book presents a 23 rectilinear moves (26 straight-line moves) solution and two variations: make a rectangle from the two L's anywhere (19 rectilinear moves / 22 straight-line moves) and make a 2 high by 3 wide rectangle in the upper right corner (37 rectilinear moves / 41 straight-line moves).


The Solution That Came with Ma's Puzzle

The Harlekin Version Of Ma's Puzzle

Made by Harlekin, Germany, circa 2000?
(cardboard box, wood tray, and 9 wood pieces, 4 by 4 by 1 inch)

The booklet that comes with this puzzle gives the simplier problem that is also addressed in Hordern's book, of making a rectangle from the two L's anywhere (19 rectilinear moves corresponding to 22 straight-line moves); here is the solution given:


Other Versions Of Ma's Puzzle




"MANUFACTURED BY THE STANDARD TRAILER CO. CAMBRIDGE SPRINGS, PA."
(blue / light blue / red / orange cardboard box and 9 wood pieces, 4" x 4" x 1/2")


Other Versions of Ma's Puzzle Continued
The Standard Trailer versions of Ma's Puzzle on the previous page have various things written in the box. Inside the box lid the red and orange ones have a solution, whereas the blue and light blue ones invite you to send ten cents for one. Also, on the bottom, under the pieces, the blue and light blue ones advertize The Flying Puzzle and Dad's Puzzle:




Other Versions of Ma's Puzzle Continued



"DISTRIBUTOR BONA FIDE BROOM &NOVELTY CO. PACOMIMA, CALIF."
(blue / light blue cardboard box and 9 wood pieces, 4 by 4 by 1/2 inches;
the label shown above is glued to the inside of the blue box top)

Try It During Your Leisure Moments
The Bona Fide Broom version of Ma's Puzzle on the previous page (blue box) has this label on the inside of the top cover:


Further Reading
Diamond Patent, from: www.uspto.gov - patent no. 1,633,397