Snapper Puzzle
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A snapper is a mechanical puzzle consisting of a pointed piece attached to a notched dowel and a hollow block with a secondary hole along its length through which a rubber-band is stretched (across the shaft) and tied off. A demonstrator inserts the dowel into the hollow block, hooks the rubber-band on the notch, pulls on the pointed end, and allows the dowel to snap back into place. The demonstrator hands the puzzle to an observer who cannot hook the rubber-band onto the dowel's notch. The demonstrator takes the puzzle back and makes it snap immediately.
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[edit] History
Unknown origin. Children of American pioneers played with simple toys such as these.
[edit] Construction
Traditionally made of wood, contemporary varieties come in plastic or metal for enhanced durability.
[edit] Variations
A variation on this puzzle inserts the rubber-band into the shaft of the block opposite the pointed piece. At least one variation allows the demonstrator to hook the rubber band and show it to observers.
[edit] Solution
What the demonstrator knows is that the dowel's notch cannot hook the rubber band. The demonstrator pulls the pointed end out appropriately with two or more fingers, then squeezes their fingers shut so the pointed end propels backward into the hollow block. This snap (complete with noise) to the ignorant observer looks very similar to a rubber band pulling the dowel back into the hollow block. To add to the drama, the demonstrator may add theatrics such as twisting the dowel, stretching the rubber-band tight, or slowly working the pointed end out of the block.
