“I used to work industriously at them in my cold, cold 8 o’clocks, but since you’ve done away with them I have no incentive to scramble out of bed and wend my way to class,” one puzzler protested. The first run of the crossword ended after just two months in 1935, and letters to the editor poured in. Whenever the puzzle was canceled or suspended, readers complained. The Daily crossword has changed hands numerous times throughout the feature’s history, from various companies that sell syndicated crosswords to students taking up the mantle of “Crossword Editor.” The changes always spur strong reactions from readers, reflecting the essential place that puzzles hold in their hearts. Margaret Farrar, the first crossword editor for the Times, decided that the world needed a distraction from the tragedies. The New York Times initially refused to publish a crossword, calling it a “sinful waste,” but was convinced to do so in the midst of World War II. The puzzle’s role in distracting and entertaining the student body may seem trivial, but the history of the crossword in major newspapers suggests that it provides a vital service.
An informal poll in 1986 concluded that one in four Daily readers went straight to the crossword when they opened the paper and reported that many saved it for class. Before cell phones, the best way to entertain yourself in a dreary lecture was to pull out that morning’s edition of The Daily and work on the crossword. “This will have no impact on your sex life,” they admitted cheekily, “but we hope you will enjoy it.” A welcome distractionįor most of its history, The Daily crossword was a mindless in-class distraction for tired students. The Daily announced the crossword’s return in 1978 “to relieve classroom boredom and add zest” to student life. Paging through the archives, you discover the spirit of Stanford’s many word nerds through the ages.įor example, the prim formality of the 1930s announcement gave way to the boisterous ’70s. It has been canceled and revived many times, each time with its own flavor.
The crossword proved popular, but not without its changes and controversies through its 88-year history.
“The permanence of this feature depends on the popularity accorded their innovation.”
#CROSSWORD EDITOR SERIES#
“To give students ever more service and pleasure The Daily starts today a series of Crossword Puzzles,” it wrote. On April 2, 1935, The Stanford Daily announced its first crossword with great fanfare.
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