Martin Demaine is the father of MIT Computer Science professor andMacArthur FellowErik Demaine; in 1987 (when Erik was six) they together founded the Erik and Dad Puzzle Company which distributed puzzles throughout Canada.[10] Erik washome-schooled by Martin, and although Martin never received any higher degree than his high school diploma, his home-schooling caused Erik to be awarded a B.S. at age 14 and a Ph.D. and MIT professorship at age 20,[3][11] making him the youngest professor ever hired by MIT.[12]The two Demaines continue to work closely together and have many joint works of both mathematics and art,[13] including three pieces ofmathematical origami in the permanent collection of theMuseum of Modern Art,New York,[14] and another three in the permanent collection of theRenwick Gallery of theSmithsonian Museum.[15] Their joint mathematical works focus primarily on themathematics of folding and unfolding objects out of flat materials such as paper and onthe computational complexity of games and puzzles.[9][12] Martin and Erik were fans ofMartin Gardner and in 2001 they teamed up withGathering 4 Gardner founderTom M. Rodgers to edit a tribute book for Gardner on his 90th birthday.[16] Father and son are both featured in the movieBetween the Folds, a documentary on modern origami.
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