A strange little side quest
The mechanics around A Pirate and his Crates have roots that stretch far beyond modern browsers. The first crossword puzzle book appeared in 1924 in a cautious initial printing of 3,600 copies, complete with a free pencil. It also connects to a different milestone: In 1958, Tennis for Two used an analog computer and an oscilloscope to turn simple physics into a playable tennis-like demonstration. That history is one reason familiar mechanics can still feel new when they are recombined well.
