Eric Harshbarger

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Eric C. Harshbarger
Education
  • Auburn University (BS, 1992)
  • Auburn University (MS, 1994)
OccupationSenior Lecturer
Known forGo First Dice, Top North American Scrabble Player[1]
Scientific career
FieldsRecreational Mathematics
InstitutionsAuburn University
Websitehttp://www.ericharshbarger.org/

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.

Biography

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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

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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

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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]

References

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  1. ^ "Top [North American] Ratings by Player's Home Country". Cross Tables. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  2. ^ Chloe Veltman (January 31, 2001). "Lego's Online Dream". The Guardian. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
  3. ^ "Mathematics and Statistics Faculty". Auburn Department of Mathematics and Statistics. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  4. ^ Brooks, Brychelle. "Eric Harshbarger: From Lego builder to lecturer". The Auburn Plainsman. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  5. ^ "Bits to Bricks". Los Angeles Times. December 14, 2000. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
  6. ^ "COSAM Math Instructor Talks LEGOs®, Puzzles and Scrabble". www.auburn.edu. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  7. ^ Mcdonald, Thomas L. (February 10, 2011). "Digits in a Box". State of Play--The Gaming Blog.
  8. ^ Harshbarger, Eric. "Test Your Lying Eyes With Shades of Gray". Wired. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
  9. ^ Selinker, Mike. "The Path Found: Solutions to the Maze of Games Campaign Puzzles". Wired. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
  10. ^ "Eric's Puzzle Parties". www.ericharshbarger.org.
  11. ^
  12. ^ Brooks, Brychelle. "Eric Harshbarger: From Lego builder to lecturer". The Auburn Plainsman. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  13. ^ "Eric Harshbarger - Faculty - Mathematics and Statistics - Auburn University College of Sciences and Mathematics". www.auburn.edu. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  14. ^ Harshbarger, Eric. "Go First Dice". ericharshbarger.org. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
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