SOLVED. A paperback on general science topics (similar to "1, 2, 3, Infinity!") with a game and "cardboard box & marbles" as a computer one plays a simple game against. [s]

[Andy]

Mike: This is the "learning computer" system that you're talking about http://makezine.com/2009/11/02/mechan... - I remember that Martin Gardner wrote about it; it appears that the essay he wrote was collected in "The Colossal book of Mathematical Puzzles" http://books.google.com/books?id=orz0... - but it was probably collected in other places too. The essay was called "A Matchbox Game-Learning Machine"

[Andy]

Ah. This site http://www.ansible.co.uk/misc/mgardne... has a list of which essays are in which books by Gardner "A Matchbox Game-Learning Machine" is in "The Unexpected Hanging" from 1969

[Serendi]

Just looked up The Unexpected Hanging and Other Mathematical Diversions and it mentions 2D universes also. Andy's suggestion sounds good!

[Ann aka Iftcan]

Well rats--Mike has his profile set to Private and there is no way to send him a PM telling him that there is a really good chance that Andy has solved his question. :o( Hopefully he's just not home, or hasn't had time to check his email yet--and his email hasn't shunted the notice to Spam or Junk mail.

[Andy]

Mike's been bumping the thread every year or so, so sooner or later he'll probably be back...

[Mike]

Andy wrote: "Mike: This is the "learning computer" system that you're talking about http://makezine.com/2009/11/02/mechan... - I remember that Martin Gardner wrote about it; it appears t..."

Andy THANK YOU !!!! All these years I have been looking for ANY reference to this....You guys are the best (and you have a ROCKIN magazine too) .

[Mike]

MY apologies to ALL involved...I had all but given up and only came back on occasion when someone would friend me, which was rare.
I don't know what to say. This has been a nearly a 40-44 years search....I am ecstatic !

[Andy]

Mike wrote: "Andy wrote: "Mike: This is the "learning computer" system that you're talking about http://makezine.com/2009/11/02/mechan... - I remember that Martin Gardner wrote about it;..."

Excellent. Glad to help you find your book!