About the object

The Bondi Tram features on this wooden jigsaw pu. The interior of the tram is revealed when the the 14 puzzle pieces are removed.

Jigsaw puzzles were used in infants classrooms in NSW. They: 

• developed fine motor skills in students – good for writing

• developed skills in matching – good for reading

• provided hand and eye exercises.

The tram is an electric tram, labelled ‘Bondi’ and number ‘1795’. The electric Bondi tram operated between 1902 and 28 February 1960. 

The tram is stopped at a tram stop. A woman with a girl and boy are running to catch it. 

The interior shows the passengers, ticket collector and mechanical workings of the tram. Note the clothing of the time with nealry all the men and women wearing hats and the women in dresses and coats.

Although the maker of this puzzle is unknown, most of the wooden jigsaw puzzles in our collection were made by the NSW Department of Education.

Significance

The puzzle provides an example of children’s puzzles from the period.

The Bondi tram puzzle is the only one in the museum collection that has an image on the base that is revealed when the puzzle pieces are removed.

The exterior and interior images on the puzzle provide a glimpse into daily life and clothing of the period. 

Object details

Date – circa 1940

Creator – unknown

Place – NSW, Australia

Materials – masonite base, plywood puzzle pieces, timber frame

Dimensions – 28cm x 20.5cm

See

• Can you see: 

  • the parallel tram tracks on the road? 

  • the trolley pole touching the electric wire above the tram?

  • the ticket collector with a shoulder bag inside the tram?

• What other details do you notice?

• What do you find interesting in the images?

Think

• How could this puzzle help with young children's learning?

• What tools were used to make the puzzle?

• What can you learn from examining the puzzle?