I was surprised and saddened (but greatly appreciated your posting) that Martin Gardner died recently. Ironically, I was just talking to Peter (unmarried) about him last Sunday when Tom had his Memorial Week-end cook out. Anything I did right in tackling the "Monty Hall-the Mind Blowing Sequel" was due to the influence of Martin Gardner. As most of my brothers and sister know, I was one of those mentioned in the article who subscribed to Scientific American because of his column. I have quite of few of his books including "The Whys of a Philosophical Scrivener."
I was shocked to learn from the nice article that he was not a mathematician, at least not schooled as one. He wrote so clearly, so perceptively, so humorously that you knew he had to be a good as well as a great man. Apparently, he also inspired famous scientists and mathematicians as be became a hub for many, many of them.
I was also surprised to learn that flexagons were his introduction to Scientific American. I think they were also my introduction to Martin Gardner. I basically took a week off from college to discover hexa-hexa-flexagons.
There are not many who loved the mystery and humor of the universe, and could explain it to mere mortals, better than Martin Gardner.
I was surprised to see that Gardner's Scientific American article ended way back in 1981. For some reason I thought it ran much longer. I suppose time flies when you're having fun.
Curiously enough, I first heard of Gardner's death on NPR's Car Talk. Apparently, Gardner's column served as the inspiration for The Puzzler feature and also ended up supplying a number of them.
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I was surprised and saddened (but greatly appreciated your posting) that Martin Gardner died recently. Ironically, I was just talking to Peter (unmarried) about him last Sunday when Tom had his Memorial Week-end cook out. Anything I did right in tackling the "Monty Hall-the Mind Blowing Sequel" was due to the influence of Martin Gardner. As most of my brothers and sister know, I was one of those mentioned in the article who subscribed to Scientific American because of his column. I have quite of few of his books including "The Whys of a Philosophical Scrivener."
I was shocked to learn from the nice article that he was not a mathematician, at least not schooled as one. He wrote so clearly, so perceptively, so humorously that you knew he had to be a good as well as a great man. Apparently, he also inspired famous scientists and mathematicians as be became a hub for many, many of them.
I was also surprised to learn that flexagons were his introduction to Scientific American. I think they were also my introduction to Martin Gardner. I basically took a week off from college to discover hexa-hexa-flexagons.
There are not many who loved the mystery and humor of the universe, and could explain it to mere mortals, better than Martin Gardner.
I was surprised to see that Gardner's Scientific American article ended way back in 1981. For some reason I thought it ran much longer. I suppose time flies when you're having fun.
Curiously enough, I first heard of Gardner's death on NPR's Car Talk. Apparently, Gardner's column served as the inspiration for The Puzzler feature and also ended up supplying a number of them.
Listen Car Talk
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