--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is one packing puzzle which, I…" description: "\"“There is one packing puzzle which, I believe, holds the record for the longest time between the answer being discovered and proof being found that thi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59c/matt-parker-16629_time_there-is-one-packing-puzzle-which-i-beli_1245439.jpg" --- # There is one packing puzzle which, I believe, holds the… ![“There is one packing puzzle which, I believe, holds the record for the longest time between the answer being discovered and proof being found that this answer is definitely the correct answer. A solution was found before humans even existed, but it wasn't proved until 2001. The puzzle is: what is…” quote by Matt Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59c/matt-parker-16629_time_there-is-one-packing-puzzle-which-i-beli_1245439.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59c/matt-parker-16629_time_there-is-one-packing-puzzle-which-i-beli_1245439.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59c/matt-parker-16629_time_there-is-one-packing-puzzle-which-i-beli_1245439.jpg) > ““There is one packing puzzle which, I believe, holds the record for the longest time between the answer being discovered and proof being found that this answer is definitely the correct answer. A solution was found before humans even existed, but it wasn't proved until 2001. The puzzle is: what is the best shape to pack in 2D? By 'best', we mean that this is a shape that fits together leaving no gaps and covers the maximum area possible for the length of its edges. The winner is the hexagon, as was discovered by bees long before humans even conceived of mathematics. Known as the honeycomb conjecture, it was not until millions of years later that the American mathematician Thomas Hales proved that, even if you resort to crazy shapes with strange curved sides, you'll never flat-pack better than you can with a hexagon.”” [Matt Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-parker/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The hexagon efficiently fills space without gaps, a solution observed in nature long before formal proof. **In simple terms:** Hexagons pack best, proven by bees and math. Key Takeaway Study natural patterns for optimal design. Themes geometry efficiency nature mathematics Mood curious analytical Type educational scientific When to use this quote - architecture - material science - urban planning - product design Key Concepts packing theory honeycomb conjecture Questions to Reflect On - Why do natural designs often outperform engineered ones? - How can we accelerate proof of observed phenomena? A Different Perspective Proof may lag behind observation, limiting immediate application. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [Actually, I think my hands are in the best shape they've ever been in terms of what I can do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-summers/actually-i-think-my-hands-are-in-the-best-shape-they-ve-ever-been-in/) [Andy Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-summers/) > [Well what I will tell you is for this movie, I got into probably the best shape of my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tea-leoni/well-what-i-will-tell-you-is-for-this-movie-i-got-into-probably-the/) [Tea Leoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tea-leoni/) > [I always want to be on the cusp of being in the best shape that I can be. 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