Rubik's History

• 944
  
  Ernő Rubik is born in Budapest, Hungary. He grows up to become an architect, designer and university professor.
• 1974
  
  Rubik creates the first working prototype of the cube. This is the official birth date of the world’s favourite toy.
• 1975
  
  Rubik patents the ‘Magic Cube’ and Hungarian toy-manufacturer Politechnika begins the difficult task of mass-production.
• 1977
  
  The first ‘Magic Cube’ is sold in a Budapest toyshop.
• 1980
  
  Ideal Toy Corporation begins exporting the cube from Hungary. The ‘Magic Cube’ is renamed the ‘Rubik’s Cube’.
• 1981
  
  A publication entitled ‘You Can Do the Cube’ was produced by Patrick Bossert, a 12-year-old schoolboy from England. The book goes on to sell 1.5 million copies.
• 1982
  
  The first annual International Rubik’s Championships are held in Budapest. More than 100 million cubes have now been sold and Rubik’s enters the Oxford English Dictionary.
• 1990
  
  Ernő Rubik becomes President of the Hungarian Engineering Academy. He later establishes the International Rubik Foundation to support talented young designers.
• 1995
  
  Diamond Cutters International creates the ‘Masterpiece Cube’ for Rubik’s 15^th birthday – a fully-functional, 185 carat Cube made of solid gold and encrusted with coloured jewels.
• 2005
  
  The cube celebrates its 25^th anniversary on 26 July. A special, limited edition Rubik’s Cube is produced to mark the occasion.
• 2007
  
  World Rubik's Cube Championships are held in Budapest from 5-7 October, marking the 25^th anniversary of the competition. Ernő Rubik was there to award the prizes in person.
• Today
  
  Ernő Rubik is now enjoying his retirement but the Rubik’s Studio continues to design games and work with young designers in Hungary and beyond.