From constructing his first puzzle to editing thousands of guest submissions, the long-standing editor emphasizes one virtue for the Crossword: timelessness.Īfter the world’s first crossword in 1913 surged in popularity among readers, the New York Times initially refused to follow suit.
Since its inception on February 15th, 1942, the New York Times Crossword has been a sign of continuity throughout the last century, overseeing rapid societal changes and subtly weaving them into its black and white tiles. Today, the letter sits in a frame outside his home office. Shortz is the editor of the renowned New York Times Crossword, a position he has proudly held since 1993. “Even when I can’t finish them, they’re the only part of The Times that guarantees good feeling!” President Bill Clinton wrote in a 2002 letter to Will Shortz. “Keep the crosswords coming,” Former U.S. Nonetheless, its core values stay close to the first ever puzzle, published in 1942. From paper to digital, The New York Times Crossword has evolved throughout the years.