MathFiction: The Holmes-Ginsbook Device (Isaac Asimov)

a list compiled by Alex Kasman (College of Charleston)

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The Holmes-Ginsbook Device (1969)

Isaac Asimov
(click on names to see more mathematical fiction by the same author)
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Contributed by "William E. Emba"

A scientist recounts how, stung by his former professor hogging all the credit for figuring out a way to safely light cigarettes and girlwatch at the same time, he and a collaborator (using geometry and topology) beat him in the race to read and girlwatch at the same time.

(For those not in the know, it is a parody of James Watson THE DOUBLE HELIX.)

More information about this work can be found at www.amazon.com.
(Note: This is just one work of mathematical fiction from the list. To see the entire list or to see more works of mathematical fiction, return to the Homepage.)

Works Similar to The Holmes-Ginsbook Device

According to my `secret formula', the following works of mathematical fiction are similar to this one:

The Accidental Time Machine by Joe Haldeman
The Mathenauts by Norman Kagan
Dimensional Analysis and Mr Fortescue by Eric St. Clair
Narrow Valley by R.A. Lafferty
The Heart on the Other Side by George Gamow
Getaway from Getawehi by Colin Kapp
Post-Bombum [aka Post-Boomboom] by Alberto Vanasco
The Tale of the Big Computer (aka The End of Man?) by Hannes Alfven (writing as Olof Johannesson)
The Pacifist by Arthur C. Clarke
The Four-Color Problem by Barrington J. Bayley

Ratings for The Holmes-Ginsbook Device:

Ratings

Have you seen/read this work of mathematical fiction? Then click here to enter your own votes on its mathematical content and literary quality or send me comments to post on this Webpage.

Mathematical Content:
1/5 (1 votes)

Literary Quality:
3/5 (1 votes)

Categories:

Genre	Humorous, Science Fiction,
Motif
Topic	Geometry/Topology/Trigonometry,
Medium	Short Stories,

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Where are the new works of mathematical fiction?: As you can see from this chronological listing, this database includes many works of mathematical fiction for each year from 1990 to 2025. Strangely, only two are listed for 2026, so far. Either less mathematical fiction is being published than in previous years or I'm just having more trouble finding it. If you know of any works of fiction that should be added to this list, especially recently published ones, please let me know. (Keep in mind that I do not include self-published works or children's fiction that just covers elementary mathematical concepts.) Thanks!

(Maintained by Alex Kasman, College of Charleston)