Close-up of the "emergent lifeform" jigsaw puzzle
A jigsaw puzzle is a tiling puzzle that requires the assembly of numerous small, often oddly-shaped, interlocking pieces. Each piece has a small part of a picture on it; when complete, a jigsaw puzzle produces a complete picture. Jigsaw puzzles were originally created by painting a picture on a flat, rectangular piece of wood, and then cutting that picture into small pieces with a jigsaw, hence the name.
A gas giant with "dozens of moons," located in Arkonian space that was encountered by Enterprise (NX-01) in 2152, was referred to as being "like a gravitational jigsaw puzzle." (ENT: "Dawn")
On Stardate 47869.2, the USS Enterprise-D's Holodeck was apparenly malfunctioning. In fact, it was creating a lifeform with emergent properties. It re-enacted this process as various holodeck characters on a train doing different things. One of the more tangible representations of the lifeform's construction was several of the characters constructing a jigsaw puzzle of the lifeform. (TNG: "Emergence")
Jigsaw puzzle with DNA base pairs.
In 2377, Icheb began tutoring Naomi Wildman in her study of genetics. Taking the creative approach, he had her learn by putting together a jigsaw puzzle featuring an image of a strand of DNA. After nearly completing the portion of the puzzle showing the DNA helix, Icheb congratulated Naomi for having "recognized the complementary base pair," she admitted to him that "actually, I just found two pieces that fit together." Disappointed, Icheb told her that she was "missing the point," to which she argued, "I thought the point was to finish the puzzle," adding, "if you really want to help, find me a green piece that looks like Tuvok's ear." (VOY: "Shattered")
- Over the years, many companies have produced jigsaw puzzles with Star Trek related images, such as Milton Bradley, Western Publishing and Hallmark.