History
The tangram is a dissection puzzle from China, likely originating during
the Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE). Seven flat pieces called "tans" are
rearranged to form figures. All pieces must be used, lie flat, and not
overlap. Over 6500 distinct figures are possible. The puzzle captivated
Europe in the early 19th century -- Napoleon, Lewis Carroll, and Edgar
Allan Poe were all devotees. The name "tangram" may derive from the
Cantonese word for "Chinese" or from "tang" meaning "to arrange."