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10 Rubik's Cube Fun & Unusual Facts

Ever wondered what makes Rubik's Cubes so cool? There are 43 quintillion reasons! But for now, check this list for 10 of the best!

Are you a fan of this fiendishly fun cube puzzle? Course you are! Well, there's more to these tricky cubes than meets the eye - as you'll soon find out with these extra interesting Rubik's Cube facts!

Not much a of a cuber? Fair enough - there are loads of other facts for you to learn! Just take a peep at these 50 Amazing Did You Knows, everything you ever wanted to know about LEGO, or even these game-tastic PS5 facts!

1. It was originally called a 'Magic Cube'

The cube puzzles we all know today were called Magic Cubes at first. They were invented by a Hungarian architect called Erno Rubik, who built a basic early version out of wood and paper clips. Believe it or not, the toy company decided against the name Magic Cube as it sounded like it had something to do with witchcraft!

2. Rubik wasn't very good at completing the cubes

Erno Rubik | Wikimedia Commons

Despite inventing the Rubik's Cube, Erno is actually pretty bad at completing the puzzle. It took him a month to prove they could even be completed at all! With practice he got it down to about a minute. As we shall see... a minute is ages compared to some people!

3. The world record is...

For the classic 3 x 3 cube completed with hands, the world record is held by Yusheng Du from China in 2018 who scored an incredible 3.47 seconds! That's ridiculous!

4. If Rubik's Cubes weren't hard enough...

Lots of people actually complete the puzzles BLINDFOLDED. And people still manage seriously impressive times! The world record for a blindfolded 3 x 3 cube is held by USA's Tommy Cherry, who completed the puzzle in amazing 14.57 seconds!

5. You can even solve one with your feet!

Mohammed Aiman Koli of India holds the record for completing a Rubik's Cube with his feet – scoring an impressive 15.56 seconds! That's not much longer than the blindfolded time! This record is pretty controversial though, as many Rubik's Cubers find the foot stuff a bit gross. In fact, the feet contests are often complained about because it's seen as unclean somehow. Is it though? What do you think? Wear socks?

6. Rubik's Cubes need oiling up!

Whether you solve it with your hands, feet or whilst wearing a blindfold - Rubik's Cubes can jam, especially when you're solving them FAST. So it's actually surprisingly important to keep them running smoothly with a special oil. Professional Cubers spend a lot of time doing this before contests!

7. Someone solved a Rubik's Cube while skydiving!

Is this the most impressive Rubik's Cube fact yet? Dan Knight jumped out of a plane and managed to solve the puzzle in the 30 seconds it took him to fall to the ground. His goal was to complete it before he needed to open his parachute – something he only just managed to do!

8. Lots of Cubing experts are kids!

You Can Do The Cube | Patrick Bossert | Penguin

It's no secret that the best Cubers in the world – and almost all the world record holders – are kids. But did you know that a best-selling guide on how to complete the Rubik's Cube was also written by a 13-year-old? That's right! Patrick Bossert was only 13 when he published You Can Do The Cube, and it ended up on the New York Times bestsellers list. Pretty impressive!

9. There are 43 quintillion possible combinations

To be honest, it's amazing anyone can complete a Rubik's Cube, especially when you realise how many possible combinations there are - 43 quintillion! That's 43 and 18 zeroes - 43,000,000,000,000,000,000!

10. There was a cartoon based on the puzzle!

Rubik, the Amazing Cube | Ruby-Spears Enterprises, ABC

A 13-episode cartoon based on Rubik's Cube was broadcast in 1983. In each 30-minute episode, Rubik, the Amazing Cube did a bit more than the puzzles available in the shops. He possessed special powers, but could only came to life when he was in a completed form. During the series, a group of children make friends with him and use his powers for good!