From out of the blue, a few months ago an email arrived concerning Matt’s 1988 book, The Greatest Puzzles of All Time. That email mentioned one chapter in the book which told the tale about the remarkable depression-era rebus contest run by Old Gold cigarettes which became a massive phenomenon, with a first prize of $100,000...about $1.5 million today.
Then came a surprise. The writer of the email, Cannon Alsobrook, said that his grandfather – one of the prize winners -- also happened to be one of the pilots who searched the Pacific for Amelia Earhart.
And suddenly it seemed that it might make for an interesting magazine article. Millions of people solving rebuses, the depression still holding on, that massive prize -- and the mystery of Amelia Earhart’s disappearance. As Cannon wrote: "These naval cadets who eventually won the whole contest, were, for at least part of the time of the contest, tied to another major event in American history."
The article – with some further surprises –will be the lead feature in Games Magazine's September issue.

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