The Best Selling Puzzle in the World
How the Rubik's cube reached the top of the best toys ever.
“Erno, after working very hard, showed his beautiful creation to his class. He didn’t know that later, it would be the top selling puzzle in the world.”
Can you guess the best selling puzzle in the world? 350 million of them are sold in one year. If you think that number is big, consider just how many combinations you can make: 43 quintillion. Maybe this is why people love the Rubik’s cube. Rubik’s cubes are used for competitions and entertainment. The world record for the fastest 3 by 3 cube solved was by Max Park. He has won several competitions and has many awards. Also you should know the inventor of the Rubik’s cube: Erno Rubik. That is where you get the name Rubik’s cube. The Rubik’s Cube started off as a class model, but turned into a bestseller that people enjoy everyday and even use to improve their minds. It’s important to understand not only the history of the cube, but also how to clean and practice solving it. The Rubik's Cube has many mysteries. As soon as you find out its secrets, will you try and give it your best shot?
Photo Credit: BBC
Erno Rubik was a young Hungarian architect in spring of 1974. One day, Erno wanted to show a demonstration of a 3d movement to his class. That is when he invented the Rubik’s cube. According to the article “A Brief History of the Rubik’s Cube" by Hope Reese, “After spending months on tinkering with blocks of cubes-made from wood and paper, held by rubber bands, glue and paper clips-he finally created something he called the ‘Bűvös kocka’ or the Magic Cube.” Erno, after working very hard, showed his beautiful creation to his class. He didn’t know that later, it would be the top selling puzzle in the world. At first, the Rubik’s Cube looks simple. It has 6 colors and to solve it, you need to match each color. In order to solve it, you have to learn different and several moves. Reese goes on to say, “To master the cube, you must learn a sequence of moves that can be performed in successive order.” After accomplishing that, you can maybe win competitions in tournaments and start showing the world your greatness. Maybe even a world record.What was interesting about the Rubik’s Cube is that there are many variations of it. There is a 4x4 as well as a 16x16. These bigger rubik’s cubes cost more because some were very hard to make. Reese adds, “And the evolution of the cube — from a three-by-three-by-three shape to larger four-by-four-by-four and five-by-five-by-five ones — offers different complicated mathematical principles of group theory.” Other companies later used this Rubik’s Cube idea but made different shapes. But most of them started with the concept of solving it by twisting and turning. But some were digital, which changed the whole world.
Photo Credit: Cubing USA
Ever since it was created, the cube has captured people’s attention. But is it just a simple game or is it a workout for your mind? First of all, the Rubik’s Cube is liked by many people. Scientists have been researching people's brains and why a simple cube could satisfy brains. Beginners are satisfied after solving just one or two sides of the cube. Plus, once your friends get their hands on one, you’ll probably want one too. Still, one thing has caught most of the people: the satisfying turns. According to the article “Why the Rubik’s cube is the Most Popular Puzzle” by Sarthak Masta, “As beginners, people can experience the satisfaction of solving a face or two within a short span of time” Once you can solve one side, you will try to find out the rest. This gives a mental stimulation and a workout that can also think better. By solving a simple small cube, you get focus, and get smarter. Amazing right! Variations keep it fresh and exciting. Some varieties give more of a challenge if the 3x3 is too easy. It keeps our brains always working out. Masta states, “While the classic 3x3 Rubik's Cube remains the most popular puzzle, variations such as different-sized cubes, mirror cubes, and even electronic cubes with interactive features have emerged, keeping the puzzle fresh and exciting.” After all, the Rubik’s cube’s evolution always gets better. And that’s what people are always waiting for. A new cool cube. That’s why even after 50 years of being invented, the Rubik’s Cube is always improving.
As time and time passed, people started to pay more and more attention to the Rubik’s Cube. And soon, we made this cube into a contest. There are tournaments and competitions all around the world. And after a while, the Rubik’s Cube started to go onto the world records. And its global popularity started to form. Masta mentions, “It’s this inclusivity that has played an important role in its popularity, making it a puzzle that can be enjoyed all over the world.” And soon people had more ideas to add into their competitions. For example, Blindfold competitions include you having to memorize the combinations to solve the cube, and then solving it without looking. Also, there is another challenge where you have to solve the cube with feet.The world record for foot solving is 15.56 seconds.
Photo Credit: The Abingtonian
Most people wonder how to use a Rubik’s Cube. Well, you just turn the cubes right? Actually, there is more to it. You first have to learn how to grip a Rubik’s Cube. The way you grip the cube matters because it gives you more flexibility. According to the article “Improving Turning Speed” , “By keeping your hands quiet and keeping the cube in a stable position in the air, it will allow you to be more consistent with your fingertricks and turn more accurately.” This trick is usually how to turn the cubes. But finding the exact moves is hard. But over time, you will get used to it and even develop basic algorithms. Increasing finger speed isn’t as easy as you think. First, you need to find your favorite cube whether it’s a speed cube or a regular cube. Another way is to keep working on combinations so your fingers are getting more and more used to it. Also, try avoiding exaggerated movements. The author of “Improving Turn Speed,” suggests that “calm, accurate turning is a good goal for a beginner, as it lays a good foundation to allow you to transition more easily to doing solves at high speeds, as you won’t need to change very much about your finger tricks or hand movements.” So that means that you will always want to start with an easy step. Like most people say, slow and steady wins the race. In this case, you can start with two or more turns and maybe spend a whole month on improving. And when you are ready for the next step, you will already be fast. After learning the Rubik’s Cube you have to try and keep it fresh. But you can just pour water on it. The best way to clean a Rubik’s Cube is to take off all pieces one by one carefully. Then wipe it with a napkin and make sure every dust is cleaned off. That will reduce friction. Then assemble back the part and use a special type of lubricating glue. It will make your cube nice and smooth. In “How to Clean/Lubricate a Rubik's Cube,” blogger CaptainCrash informs his followers, “You should have already noticed that the cube has a slightly different feel to turning it. It might be easier to turn at this point but we are not finished yet!” By doing these exact steps, your cube will feel brand new. And even better and easier to win competitions.
It is fascinating how a simple cube can have so much popularity. Erno Rubik probably didn’t realize a model for his class would be a best selling toy. But that one model was not stopped. People started to think cooler ideas and added bigger variations. And the popularity grew so much, it got its own competition. After all, the Rubik’s Cube did make its own community. But why are people so drawn to the cube? The Rubik’s cube gives benefits to our minds, which develop more flexibility. The Rubik’s Cube is a puzzle after all. In the end, you can’t just leave a precious cube dirty. By using a couple of napkins and a lubricator, you can clean your cube completely. And also, by practicing quick and basic moves, your fingers get faster too. And by cleaning and practicing, you have a chance to get your own medal.
