James Thomas Browning

James Thomas Browning, the creator of U-NIT Puzzles was born in May 25, 1890 in Falmouth Kentucky. A carpenter and painter/decorator by trade he was a skilled wood worker and craftsman who built one of his homes and spent time at home working on various projects including furniture and intricate wood decorations as a hobby. It is easy to see how puzzle making came so naturally to him. Making U-NIT Puzzles began in 1932 during the great depression. It was a time when many people were looking for things to do to pass the time and work and money were limited. It was also a way for him to supplement his income and support his family.

Browning was a married man. He and his wife Lillian had a son named James Lloyd who as a young man in his teens learned to cut puzzles with his father and they both worked on technique and improving their puzzles and methods. Lloyd as he was called did not continue with making puzzles after graduating college when he became a career educator dedicated his time to teaching and later raising a family of his own.

As a young man Browning moved from Kentucky to Newark New Jersey eventually purchasing his first home in East Orange. Around 1951 the family picked up and moved into the house James and his son built in West Caldwell New Jersey. He then moved again around 1970 to Forked River New Jersey. (we are researching these dates for accuracy)

He continued to cut puzzles for most of the remainder of his life into the early 1970's eventually retiring from puzzle making shortly before passing in 1977.