The zebra puzzle is a well-known logic puzzle. It is often called Einstein's Puzzle or Einstein's Riddle because it is said to have been invented by Albert Einstein as a boy; it is sometimes claimed that only 2% of the population can solve it. The puzzle is also sometimes attributed to Lewis Carroll. However, there is no known evidence for Einstein's or Carroll's authorship; and the original puzzle cited below mentions brands of cigarette, such as Kools, that did not exist during Carroll's lifetime or Einstein's boyhood.
There are several versions of this puzzle. The version below is quoted from the first known publication in Life International magazine on December 17, 1962. The March 25, 1963 issue contained the solution given below and the names of several hundred solvers from around the world.
Read more about Zebra Puzzle: Text of The Original Puzzle, Solution, Other Versions
Famous quotes containing the words zebra and/or puzzle:
“Apeneck Sweeney spreads his knees
Letting his arms hang down to laugh,
The zebra strips along his jaw
Swelling to maculate giraffe.”
—T.S. (Thomas Stearns)
“What are you now? If we could touch one another,
if these our separate entities could come to grips,
clenched like a Chinese puzzle . . . yesterday
I stood in a crowded street that was live with people,
and no one spoke a word, and the morning shone.
Everyone silent, moving. . . . Take my hand. Speak to me.”
—Muriel Rukeyser (1913–1980)