The Simpsons and Their Mathematical Secrets

by Simon Singh

Ken Keeler, he looks back at his time spent as a mathematician as part of his progression toward becoming a comedy writer: “Everything that happens to us has some effect on us, and I do suppose that the time I spent in grad school made me a better writer. I certainly don’t regret it. For example, I chose Bender’s serial number to be 1,729, a historically significant number in mathematics, and I think that reference alone completely justifies my doctorate. “I don’t know if my thesis advisor sees it that way though.”