A private, informal organization known as the International Puzzle Party - the IPP, hosts a mechanical puzzle competition. The goal of the IPP Puzzle Design Competition is to promote and recognize innovative new designs of mechanical puzzles. The first competition was held in August 2001. The results of the first two competitions can be found here:

http://www.puzzleworld.org/DesignCompetition/default.htm

The 2003 competition is open to all designers. Anyone may submit his or her own mechanical puzzle design to the competition regardless of IPP affiliation.

To be eligible, a puzzle must be a new design or an inventive application of a known principle, and must be first manufactured or otherwise made public no earlier than August 2002. All types of mechanical puzzles are eligible for the competition.

Cleverwood artist Eric Kelsic eneterd a puzzle box in the 2001 competition. Eric and our newest artist Kagen Schaefer entered new puzzle boxes in the 2002 contest. Kagen won the Puzzler’s Choiuce award for his Block Box in 2002. Kagen’s newest puzzle box is entered in the 2003 competition.

The official information about the 2003 competition is posted here:

http://www.johnrausch.com/DesignCompetition/