With a newly discovered type of tile, an area can be covered completely without repeating patterns. How the shape has now inspired mathematicians, artists and Christmas bakers.
In March, a discovery made the math community sit up and take notice: David Smith, a 64-year-old pensioner from England, had developed an “Einstein” tile – a shape that can be used to completely cover an area. The special thing about the tiles: If they are used to tile a floor, no recurring patterns or structures form, even if you place an infinite number of the specially shaped tiles next to each other and regardless of how you color them.