What sparked the creation of Wordle®?
In 1979, while teaching second grade, I found something intriguing in my teacher’s box—a page of word puzzles. Each was simple, confined to a small square, but they carried a kind of magic that resonated deeply with me. The first was the word “READ” surrounded by five vertical lines: |R|E|A|D|. The answer was obvious—“Read between the lines”—but what wasn’t obvious was how profoundly these puzzles would inspire me.
How did your childhood shape your vision for Wordles?
As I studied those puzzles, a flood of memories came rushing back. I thought back to my childhood, lying in the back of our green 1957 Ford Country Sedan Station Wagon. As I listened to the roaring sound overhead, my young mind was busy puzzling over the world in its own unique way. When my mom called it an “ear-plane,” I couldn’t see it—so I imagined a “flying ear” instead. When she told me my grandmother gave my sister and me a “half dollar,” I was baffled by the idea of torn money, already wondering how we might piece it back together. Words had always painted pictures in my mind—sometimes whimsical, sometimes absurd, always vivid.
How did Wordles come to life?
Those riddles in 1979 triggered something in me. I found myself recalling my imaginative interpretations of words and phrases faster than I could write them down. Within an hour, I was sketching out my creations. While the idea for a name came quickly, it wasn’t without effort. I ran through dozens of iterations, scribbling and experimenting until, finally, it clicked: Word + Riddle = Wordle. It simply popped into place, and I knew it was the perfect fit.
How did Wordles grow over time?
Wordles became my passion. I began crafting pages of them—twenty per sheet, all in neat little squares—and sharing them with my fellow teachers. Each Wordle reflected how I’d grown to navigate language, blending humor, imagery, and a touch of playful mischief. Though I dreamed of publishing a book, life had other plans. I left teaching, married my incredible wife, Kari, started a family, and built a successful photography business. Years passed, but Wordles never left me. They reappeared in unexpected moments, like when Kari’s mom asked me to create some for her social club’s Christmas party. That request reignited my passion, and soon, Wordles became a staple at family reunions and gatherings.
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Why did you trademark Wordle®?
As more and more people shared how much they enjoyed them, I decided to trademark “Wordle” to protect this piece of my life and creativity. Though the trademark is mine, Wordles are for everyone to enjoy—a playful window into how I’ve always seen the world.
Why are Wordles making a comeback now?
Now retired, I have the time to dedicate to Wordles again. They’re more than puzzles; they’re a reflection of my journey from a boy struggling to make sense of letters to a man who embraces the joy and humor in language’s quirks. I first created my Wordle website in 2005, though it remained dormant for years—waiting, it seems, for retirement to breathe life into it. Well, that and the aftermath of an unexpected hurdle: the site was hacked. My attorney suspects it may have been connected to the online uproar in the 2000s when others, believing they had invented the word Wordle, were upset to discover I held the registered trademark. Some even posted requests to shut me down.
Regardless, to each nasty letter, I responded with kindness, explaining that my creation and use of Wordle® predated them entirely—sometimes by decades—and encouraging them to take solace in knowing their idea was indeed a good one, even if I had arrived at it much earlier.
Now, after nearly two decades and one of the most sophisticated hacks my recovery team had ever seen, I’ve finally reclaimed my site and am ready to share the joy of Wordles with the world once again.
Our Amazing Team
Meet Mark and Kari, the dynamic duo behind the world of Wordles! Mark dreams up the puzzles (and the occasional tangent), while Kari keeps things grounded (and grammar-approved). Together, they mix creativity, humor, and a dash of organized chaos to bring you fun and games like no other.
Wordle® Designer
Mark Jordan Koeff
I turn words into puzzles and puzzles into adventures, fueled by a lifetime of seeing the world through quirky, literal, and unique lenses.
Content Editor
Kari Qvale Koeff
The string to Mark’s helium balloon, ensuring his creativity soars without drifting into la-la land or getting carried away.