More from KUOW History What Is 9 Letters Long And Turns 100 Tomorrow? KUOW | By Marcie Sillman Published December 20, 2013 at 2:19 PM AKST Twitter LinkedIn Email Listen • 6:24 Flickr Photo/Philippa Willitts Marcie Sillman discusses the origin of the first crossword puzzle with puzzle author Merl Reagle in honor of the crossword's 100th birthday on Saturday.