Wade Edward Philpott (1918–1985) was an American

mathematician A mathematician is someone who uses an extensive knowledge of mathematics in their work, typically to solve mathematical problems. Mathematicians are concerned with numbers, data, quantity, mathematical structure, structure, space, Mathematica ...

and

puzzle A puzzle is a game, problem, or toy that tests a person's ingenuity or knowledge. In a puzzle, the solver is expected to put pieces together ( or take them apart) in a logical way, in order to find the solution of the puzzle. There are differe ...

maker. Several of his puzzles have gone on to become best sellers.

Life

Philpott was born in Sunnyside, Washington in 1918 as Chester Wade Edwards. He was the son of Chester E. Edwards and Mary Ream Edwards. Later, he was adopted by Viola Ream Philpott, and George Austin Philpott, his aunt and uncle. In 1921, his name was changed from Chester Wade Edwards to Wade Edward Philpott. Philpott graduated from

Ohio Northern University Ohio Northern University (Ohio Northern or ONU) is a private college in Ada, Ohio, United States. Founded by Henry Solomon Lehr in 1871, ONU offers over 60 programs across five undergraduate and graduate colleges and is affiliated with the Unit ...

with a degree in engineering. He married Myra Given in 1941. In 1947, a shooting accident left him

paralyzed Paralysis (: paralyses; also known as plegia) is a loss of motor function in one or more muscles. Paralysis can also be accompanied by a loss of feeling (sensory loss) in the affected area if there is sensory damage. In the United States, r ...

. During his long hospitalization, he developed an interest in

recreational mathematics Recreational mathematics is mathematics carried out for recreation (entertainment) rather than as a strictly research-and-application-based professional activity or as a part of a student's formal education. Although it is not necessarily limited ...

and puzzles. Philpott produced several puzzles during his lifetime. Two of his best known puzzles are Multimatch and Sweep. His games and puzzles were sold by Kadon Enterprises, Inc. Philpott also published several of his works in the

Journal of Recreational Mathematics The ''Journal of Recreational Mathematics'' was an American journal dedicated to recreational mathematics, started in 1968. It had generally been published quarterly by the Baywood Publishing Company, until it ceased publication with the last issue ...

References

External links

Game Puzzles on Philpott
{{DEFAULTSORT:Philpott, Wade Edward 1918 births 1985 deaths 20th-century American mathematicians People from Sunnyside, Washington Ohio Northern University alumni Puzzle designers