The history of the Rubik's Cube as it turns 40

An online celebration for the puzzle toy's 40th anniversary.

The History of the Rubik's Cube

Here's a fun look at the puzzling toy's history and some of the important milestones it grasped throughout the years.

1974: The cube is invented

After many different prototypes and versions of the cube being created, in 1974 Erno Rubik finally finished his final prototype 3×3 Rubik’s Cube.

The cube was fairly large and made out of wood, with corners that were cut down due to the size of the object. It was here where Rubik realized he couldn’t actually solve what he had created and spent a month figuring out how to do so.

1975: Rubik gets a patent

In 1975 Rubik received a patent for his “Magic Cube” in Hungary. The cube kept this name for the five years following, before being renamed after its inventor.

1979: Worldwide Distribution deal signed

It took four years before the cube was actually released worldwide due to the "Iron Curtain" that separated Europe, prior to the decline of communism.

1980: The cube goes worldwide

The Rubik's cube had to be changed slightly because the U.S. had different regulations in regards to packaging and safety specifications.

During this time, the name was changed to credit the inventor, too.

1982: People start getting competitive

The first Rubik’s Cube World Championship was held in the capital of Hungary. 20 competitors came together to solve the Rubik’s Cube as fast as possible.

The champion was Minh Thai, an American teenager, who solved the cube in just 22.95 seconds.

1997: The Fridrich Method

Jessica Fridrich published her methods for solving the Rubik’s Cube online. The Fridrich Method is regarded today as the best "speedcubing" method.

2003: The World Cube Association

Ron Van Bruchem and Tyson Mao founded the World Cube Association. This was the first official organization that would be responsible for the running of official speedcubing competitions and monitoring of national and international achievements.

2005: 25 Years of the Rubik's Cube

A special edition cube packaging was created to celebrate. Also during this year, the third World Championship took place. In this one, Jeans Pons won with a time of 15.10 seconds.