IU alumnus, crossword puzzle editor gets taste of limelight

For anyone who remembers IU alumnus Will Shortz for either his individualized enigmatology major or for being the New York Times crossword puzzle editor, his name is resurfacing once more with a generous donation to the Lilly Library and a guest appearance on “The Simpsons.”

Shortz, the New York Times crossword puzzle editor and an IU alumnus, is donating his collection of more than 20,000 puzzle books to the Lilly Library. The collection dates back to 1543, with word puzzles from around the globe, including crosswords, logic puzzles, picture puzzles and even the only known copy of the original crossword puzzle from 1913.  

Although IU is his alma mater, Shortz selected the Lilly Library based on his colleague Jerry Slocum’s donation of manipulative puzzles – like Rubix Cubes – which, since 2006, has been given its own exhibit known as the Slocum Puzzle Room.  

“I hope that the material is to be preserved and researched by classes, and I know they’ve already done a great job of that with Jerry’s collection,” Shortz said.

Slocum said he selected the Lilly Library because of its staff and atmosphere.

“The researchers treated me extremely well, and they made resources available, but under controlled circumstances, so (the puzzles) aren’t damaged or misused,” Slocum said.

Slocum said that since the puzzles were made available, they have been used in a computer graphics setting to teach 3D, as well as to educate students on global culture.

“You really have to try these puzzles in order to appreciate them,” Slocum said.
Merl Reagle, one of the top crossword puzzle creators in the world, commented specifically on Shortz’s collection.  

“There’s absolutely nothing like it in the world. It’s truly unrivaled,” he said.

Reagle elaborated on how Shortz’s collection will be a beneficial resource.  

“Many people don’t have any idea there is a puzzle history,” Reagle said, “but if you have any question in your mind, a puzzle will date back and can answer it.”

Although Shortz is well-known as the crossword puzzle editor of the Times, he became even more popular in the 2006 film “Wordplay,” a documentary on crosswords that is centered around an annual crossword puzzle tournament.

But his most recent claim to fame was on Sunday’s episode of “The Simpsons.”

In the episode, Lisa competes in a crossword puzzle contest, but when Homer places a bet against her, she loses faith in her dad. To win Lisa back, Homer places two secret messages in the New York Times crossword puzzle edited by Shortz and written by Reagle. The two appeared briefly at the end of the episode.

“It was a thrill. ‘The Simpsons’ is one of the great icons of American culture,” Shortz said about appearing on the show. “I agreed to do the show on the condition that the actual crossword appear in that day’s New York Times, and they loved that idea.”

The actual crossword did in fact appear in Sunday’s New York Times, complete with both secret messages, one reading diagonally from left to right inside the puzzle, and the other reading down the first letter of every clue.

Reagle, too, enjoyed his spot on the show. Both he and Shortz did a real-time table reading with the entire cast.

“To have met everybody was swell because they are just the nicest people in the world,” Reagle said.

The crossword puzzle itself is reaching the ripe age of 95, and the collection will be a welcome addition to the Lilly Library.

“Puzzles have been around for hundreds of years, and this collection will probably have grasp between people and actual things. It really takes you back to another era,” Reagle said.