Eric Harshbarger
American puzzle designer, scrabble player, and mathematician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Eric C. Harshbarger (born 1971)[2] is a Senior Lecturer of mathematics at Auburn University.[3] He previously was an Alabama-based builder of large-scale Lego brick mosaics and sculptures.[4][5] From around 2000 to 2006 he was commissioned to build for television shows and magazines for promotional purposes.
- Auburn University (BS, 1992)
- Auburn University (MS, 1994)
Eric C. Harshbarger | |
|---|---|
| Education |
|
| Occupation | Senior Lecturer |
| Known for | Go First Dice, Top North American Scrabble Player[1] |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Recreational Mathematics |
| Institutions | Auburn University |
| Website | http://www.ericharshbarger.org/ |
Biography
Harshbarger grew up in Auburn, Alabama where he went to Auburn High School. In 1992, he obtained a Bachelor of Science from Auburn University in the Mathematics Department . In 1994, he also received a Master of Science from the Mathematics department at Auburn. In the late 1990s, he moved to California to pursue a job in the computer industry. In 1999, he returned to his home town of Auburn .[6]
Puzzles and games
Harshbarger is also well known for his work in puzzle and game design. His Digits in a Box[7] toy has been produced by Popular Playthings since 2007. Wired magazine[8] featured an optical illusion puzzle of his design in 2009. Collaborating with Mike Selinker, Harshbarger co-authored an optimization puzzle for the Maze of Games in 2015.[9] From 2004-2017 he also has hosted one or more puzzle parties in and around his hometown of Auburn, Alabama. [10] His puzzle TicTac's Tactics won Jury Honorable Mention at the 2018 International Nob Yoshigahara Puzzle Design Competition.[11]
In the state of Alabama, Eric Harshbarger is ranked number one and is in the top 100 players in the United States for the game Scrabble.[12]
Mathematics
Harshbarger is a senior lecturer in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Auburn University.[13] Harshbarger has been credited for significant research, development, and production of Go First Dice.[14]