top secret puzzles

[cubefan]

Hi puzlefreaks

take a look at : http://johnrausch.com/DesignCompetition/2009/
and if you are clever, you will find a few pieces there designed by guys from here, but please

TOP SECRET

happy finding and puzzling   

Utahfan Bernhard

[Chinnomotto]

Amazing, 80 puzzles, Best of the Best

Gee, I wonder whos the 1st and last one belongs to? 

Didn't see any Japanese trick boxes, unusual, they are probably too busy

Sad to say, for every 1 winner, ( there are 5 ), theres 14 loosers

We can't all win, so its good Show n Tell ,for me anyway

Can't wait to play with them

[cubefan]

Hi dentist

you will be the first one and the last one, so that is a good average

regards
Utahfan Bernhard

[Arc Light]

Fantastic puzzle entries!  Good luck to all those that have entered.  Remember it's not always the destination that is the glory, sometimes there can be more fun had in the trip! 

[gibell]

I do not envy the judges!  How can they choose amongst such varied entries?  I could not.  They all look fascinating.

Anybody have an explanation for the sudden jump in number of entries?  Over all previous years, 2001-2008, the number of entries has always been between 52 and 61.  Now suddenly 80!  I thought maybe the years IPP was in the US would have greater numbers, but the historical info does not show this.  Maybe the bad economy means people have more time to invent puzzles?

[Canuck]

Anybody have an explanation for the sudden jump in number of entries? 
 

It's a 'puzzle boom' 

[jaurand]

A puzzle boom? La Boomba!

[Roby]

I want details on Jeffery Aurand.  I suspect that he is the same guy that Matt Dawson was bragging about a while back about a very cool puzzle design, but I may not recall correctly.  If so, I want details, and pictures. 

[jaurand]

Hi Robert,

I've made a couple of puzzles for Jim Strayer as part of our vacation adventures. Matt was probably referring to the puzzle I made based on a Rush Hour design. You can see photos of it here: http://www.lhup.edu/jstrayer/Aurand2.htm

The most important lesson I learned when I made that box: make a copy and keep one for myself! Wish I had known before hand!

I'm working on relocating my shop (it's 40 minutes from home right now) so I can get some time in the shop making puzzles. I'm really jazzed after going to IPP and seeing all the great puzzles (yours included!) and meeting all the great people (except you weren't there!).

I'm hoping to be a more active member here on the forum moving forward.

Jeff

[Roby]

Yes, that is the puzzle.  Very beautiful and I can't wait to see more from you.  Pesonally, I keep back two of every puzzle I make, but I also do rather large runs of 30 or more. 

Good to have you aboard

[Chinnomotto]

Hi Ho Jeff

Thats a cool puzzle box, make a few more for next IPP Comp

I should make a dozen La Boombas, it was popular there

Need to change the mechanism thou

[jaurand]

Thanks Stephen!

I hope to enter a puzzle box in next year's competition, and if I can garner an invite, I plan on attending!

J