Intellectual historian Scott Eberle tackled one of the most challenging aspects of play science with his 2014 article “The Elements of Play,” which proposed a definition for play that includes six basic elements and a foundation of fun. Formerly vice president for play studies of The Strong National Museum of Play, he developed scores of exhibits for the museum and was instrumental in establishing the American Journal of Play, which he edited for several years. He is currently coeditor of The Handbook of the Study of Play (New York: Oxford University Press) and has written and edited several other books on play and related subjects. He also serves on the New York State Council on the Arts and writes two popular blogs on play. Through his research and scholarship, he has helped foster awareness that a neuroscience of play is possible.
Most Influential Work:
- “The Elements of Play: Toward a Philosophy and a Definition of Play” (American Journal of Play 6 (2): 214–33), proposes six basic elements of play (anticipation, surprise, pleasure, understanding, strength, and poise), and argues for a view of play as evolutionary, beneficial, and above all, fun.
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