Collection of models demonstrating self-reproducing mechanisms in chemistry and biochemistry, with puzzles and other items, made by Lionel Sharples Penrose, mid 20th century (see part and stroke records)

The writing is faded, but the puzzle appears to require the user to ‘Move from position A to position B in 9 moves and go back again.’ It is a sliding block puzzle similar in type to the ‘15’ puzzle where 15 squares are moved around a 4 x 4 square board so the numbers are in order. This type of puzzle has been popular since the late 19th century.

There is a story related by Oliver Penrose, one of Lionel’s sons, that when he brought his future wife Joan to meet the family in 1953, Lionel thrust a puzzle into her hands saying ‘see if you can take that to pieces’. This is one of several interlocking cubes Lionel made.