Optimal Rectangle Packing for the 70 Square

Gardner asked whether it was possible to tile/pack the squares 1×1,…, 24×24 in a 70×70 square. Arguments that it is impossible have been given by Bitner–Reingold and more recently by Korf–Mofitt–Pollack. Here we outline a simpler algorithm, which we hope could be used to give an alternative and more direct proof in the future. We also derive results of independent interest concerning such packings.