I found this puzzle at the thrift store. It’s by Areaware, called “Gradient Puzzle”, and designed by Bryan Wilner.
I love bright colors but have only done two gradient puzzles so far. I was afraid this one was going to be hard, given that there are really only two colors here. Then I read the back of the box.
The idea that the puzzle could be considered solved even while disassembled amused me, but the thing that really caught my attention was the description of it. The color is listed as “Pink/Blue.”
All I had seen on the box was Orange/Yellow, so I examined it carefully and found a bit of pink paper taped to one end. Could it be one of those “actual product color” patches you find on items that come in multiple colors?
I couldn’t think of any reason why the box and puzzle would be different colors, so I bought it, too curious not to know. (Even if I had been cheeky enough to open the box at the store, it was so well taped that I thought it was still factory-sealed.)
When I opened the box, I found puzzle pieces ranging from bright yellow to bright orange. I shouldn’t have been surprised, but I was.
Now I want to know why the text on the box claims the puzzle is “Pink/Blue.” Also, who put the pink paper on the box, and what color were the pieces supposed to be?
The puzzle was made in China, so that probably explains everything. But I’d still love to know how this happened.
Have you ever had an unsurprising surprise?
