Shape and Hue

A strange little side quest

If Shape and Hue sends you down a curiosity rabbit hole, start here. The first crossword puzzle book appeared in 1924 in a cautious initial printing of 3,600 copies, complete with a free pencil. Another piece of context lands nicely beside it: Nintendo's Donkey Kong arrived in 1981 and introduced the character first known as Jumpman, who later became Mario. That history is one reason familiar mechanics can still feel new when they are recombined well.