Martin Gardner: 100 Years of the Magic of Physics

2014 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Martin Gardner, a man whose writings helped inspire generations of young students to pursue a career in physics and mathematics. From his first to his last, and many in between, Gardner's publications often combined magic and science. A recurring theme was the clever use of physical principles to produce an apparently miraculous effect that stimulated the mind to wonder “how is that possible?” In contrast to the disconnect between science and mystery that one often encounters in teaching today, Gardner embraced these two disparate elements, and fused them into a whole that made learning a joy.