The History of Rubik's

• 1944
  

  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.