The world of speedcubing is surprisingly vast. Those who once believed they were simply embarking on a brain-training puzzle to pass the time between classes or meetings tend to find themselves enraptured by the mathematical wonders of the humble 3x3. Before long, speed cube amateurs are placing orders for 4x4s, 7x7s, Pyraminx puzzles and more.
The craze began with the invention of the Rubik’s Cube back in 1974. Created by Hungarian design teacher and puzzle expert Erno Rubik, he originally called his three-dimensional puzzle the ‘Magic Cube’. The idea was pitched to the Ideal Toy & Novelty Company and soon thereafter, the puzzle was renamed the Rubik’s Cube – hitting the shelves in 1980.
