A strange little side quest
The mechanics around World of Alice: Solar System 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. The broader history adds one more wrinkle. The Oregon Trail began in 1971 when three student teachers created a computer simulation to help Minnesota schoolchildren learn American history. That long chain of experiments is part of why puzzles still feels fresh when a game finds the right twist.
