Before we had daily puzzles on our phones, word games were played face to face, scribbled on notepads, or carefully arranged on cardboard tiles across a table. The history of word games stretches back more than a century, and every generation has had its own twist on the challenge of turning letters into language.
Let's take a look at how we got from the parlor to the pocket.
The Paper Puzzle Era
Long before Wordle, Spelling Bee, or Lexamid, people were playing word games in newspapers. The first known crossword puzzle was published in 1913 by the New York World, and it kicked off a craze. By the 1920s, crosswords were showing up everywhere - from Sunday papers to schoolbooks - and had become a cultural mainstay.
Other pencil-and-paper games like Hangman and word ladders were also popular. They didn't need electricity - just a pencil, paper, and a brain full of vocabulary.
Enter Scrabble
In 1938, Alfred Butts (yes, that's his real name) invented a game called Lexiko. After a few design tweaks and a name change, Scrabble was born - and by the 1950s, it had become a household name.
Scrabble's mix of word knowledge and spatial play made it a classic. You could challenge your vocabulary, argue over weird words like "qi" (yes, it's real), and actually feel smarter at the end.
The Digital Shift
By the 2000s, word games began migrating from kitchen tables to keyboards. Early browser games like Bookworm and Text Twist hooked players with instant feedback and addictive combos.
Then came phones. With games like Words With Friends, you could battle your cousin in Florida or your old roommate in Seattle - one swipe at a time. Word games were suddenly social.
The Rise of the Daily Puzzle
The 2020s sparked a new boom. Games like Wordle went viral with their once-a-day format. Lexamid joins that tradition - but adds a twist with 14 letters and four words every day.
This era isn't just about scores. It's about habits. You open your game, sip your coffee, and get that satisfying click when it all comes together.
From Timeless to Timely
We've always loved turning letters into meaning. That hasn't changed. What has changed is how we get our fix - from newspapers to apps, from Scrabble tiles to mobile taps.
So the next time you play Lexamid, remember: you're not just playing a puzzle. You're continuing a tradition - one word at a time.