Created in 1974 by architecture professor from Hungary named Ernõ Rubik, Rubik’s Cube has fascinated some people; and make some others confused over the six sides.
This six-color cube on each side was first released to the public in 1980. However, only a year later, it was popular throughout the world. In just three years, this cube has sold 200 million worldwide. Rubik’s Cube fever subsided after that. In the 20th century, this colorful cube was loved again. Here are some interesting facts about Rubik’s Cube that you might not know about.
- Rubik’s Cube was first released under a different name
When it was first created, this cube was named the Magic Cube. However, in 1980, Ideal Toy, which had bought its license, changed its name to Rubik’s Cube.
- Rubik is not good at Rubik
Many people are able to complete Rubik’s Cube quickly and easily. However, the creator, Ernõ Rubik, was not one of them. He needed a month to complete. Even after studying it for a long time, he still needed one minute to complete it. Note the time that is not impressive for the “Cubers.”
- There are 43 quintillion possible color combinations
With six colors on each side and each side divided into nine squares, Rubik’s Cube has 43 quintillion color combinations.
- Yellow means to be careful
When first marketed in the UK in 1982, the health department discovered that this Rubik’s cube had dangerous lead levels. The cause is the yellow color, which has at least 26,250 ppm (parts per million), far exceeding the permitted standard, which is 2,500 ppm.
- A 13-year-old child writes the solution book
When Rubik’s Cube fever sweeps the world, many people are looking for a guide to solving this puzzle as quickly as possible. The person who first answered that need was a 13-year-old boy: Patrick Bossert. His book, You Can Do the Cube, was written as a guide for his classmates.
One of his friend’s parents was the editor of Penguin Books, who later helped him publish the book. You Can Do the Cube entered the New York Times bestseller list after selling more than 750,000 books quickly.
- Less than 5 seconds
The world’s fastest record for completing this cube was set by Feliks Zemdegs with 4.22 seconds at last year’s Cube for Cambodia event. However, when finishing quickly isn’t enough, the Cubers continue to look for new challenges. Some solve it using their feet, while closing their eyes, in the water, while jumping from an airplane, and various other crazy actions.
- Will Smith helped popularize it again
Although Rubik’s Cube is always selling well, in 2006, this cube experienced an increase in sales thanks to one of the scenes in Pursuit of Happyness. Chris Gardner, the character played by Will Smith, completes the Rubik’s cube in a taxi to get a chance to work. That scene scored a new generation of Cubers. In 2008, the sale of these cubes reached 15 million worldwide.
- The robot takes over
Robotic technology and artificial intelligence are increasingly sophisticated. In the case of Rubik’s Cube, the climax is when Rubik’s Contraption, a robot created by Ben Katz and Jared Di Carlo, completes this colorful cube in 0.38 seconds. From then on, robots began to rule the world.
- Diamonds for the 15th birthday
To celebrate the 15th anniversary of the release of the Rubik’s Cube, in 1995, Diamond Cutters International made a Rubik’s cube of 185-carat diamonds. Priced at the US $ 1 million at the time, Diamond Cutters International also released a silver version that sold for the US $ 2,000.