From 1938-1942, the Dutch graphic artist M.C. Escher carried out experiments in printing repeating patterns with small carved wooden squares that contained a simple motif of crossing bands, using a purely algorithmic scheme. He asked and answered combinatorial questions about these patterns, and opened the door to many tantalizing questions that have recently been addressed by mathematicians and computer scientists.

Note: A PDF file with references for this talk can be downloaded from the Wing Lectures page.