What box?

[foxmoth at qnet.com]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at y..., "Neil Ward" <neilward at d...> wrote:
> Dear List
> 
> Can someone explain the origins of the phrase "thinking 
outside the box"?  I keep seeing it, and I can guess what it 
means, but how did it come about?
>
I believe it comes from the nine dots puzzle:

     *  *  *
     *  *  *
     *  *  *

Hopefully the formatting will not get messed up.  It's three rows 
of three dots each, all lined up.

Here are the rules:

*	Start by placing the pen on any dot on the square.
*	The goal is to connect all the dots by drawing four straight 
lines.
*	You cannot lift the pen off the paper; each line must start from 
the end of the previous line.
*	The lines must be straight; curves are not allowed.

The phrase "think outside the box" suggests the solution.
 
Pleasant dreams <veg>
Pippin