There is some debate over which is the hardest Rubik’s Cube ever: God’s Number 3x3x3 or the 17x17x17.
Although God’s Number refers specifically to the 3x3x3 Rubik’s Cube, it can be argued that solving a 17x17x17 Rubik’s Cube is generally more challenging due to its larger size and greater complexity.
The Rubik’s Cube is a puzzle invented by Professor Erno Rubik of Hungary. He created the first version of the cube in 1974. Rubik originally designed the cube to help his students understand three-dimensional challenges. He soon realized that his invention was also a challenging puzzle in its own right! The cube was originally called the Magic Cube, but the name was later changed to Rubik’s Cube when it became popular worldwide as a speedcube. In 1980, Rubik’s Cube was officially launched at an international toy fair and quickly grew into a global phenomenon.
Over the years, many different people have contributed to the cube, but one of its earliest designers was Erno Rubik, a professor from Hungary who, in 1974, initially made it out of 27 wooden blocks for his students to illustrate a mathematical concept. Rubik wasn’t sure if there was a solution, so it took him a month to solve the puzzle himself first.
People who aren’t familiar with speedcubes often refer to them as Rubik’s cubes. Rubik’s is a brand in its own right and is a challenging puzzle shaped like a cube, with each face having a unique color. Typically, each face consists of 3 rows and 3 squares.
A cube always has 6 sides, regardless of its size. Each side of a cube is a square face. So, whether a cube is 3×3 or any other size, it will always have 6 sides. However, the size and the number of blocks inside the cube can vary.
A Rubik’s Cube features six unique, vibrant colors, each of which perfectly matches the different sides of the cube.
At an exciting event in Long Beach, a young competitor from California amazed everyone by solving the 3x3x3 cube in an incredible time. With an astonishing new world record time of just 3.13 seconds, Max Park has proven himself to be a true speedcubing champion. This achievement is a full 0.34 seconds faster than the previous record, which had stood unbroken for over four years.
Solving a Rubik’s Cube takes patience, practice, and perseverance! By consulting various resources—such as our blog, videos, and books—and learning from experienced cubers, you can improve your skills. Experiment with different techniques and algorithms to get better. It’s also helpful to take notes to keep track of your moves while solving. Remember to enjoy the process and the challenges that come with solving the cube. Making mistakes is human and part of the learning process. So stay focused and, above all, don’t give up, even when things get tough. Even the world’s best cubers started with step 1. By persevering, you’ll keep getting better and develop the skill to solve the cube effortlessly. Every cube you solve will give you a sense of accomplishment and motivate you to keep going. Remember that the journey of solving a cube is just as valuable as the end result. Enjoy the challenge, sharpen your mental focus, and develop a sense of accomplishment as you solve the cube step by step.
So go for it, keep practicing, and solve that cube!
Speedcubing is all about fast and smooth movements, and manufacturers have developed various mechanisms to optimize the performance of these cubes. Let’s explore the most common mechanisms:
Ball-core Mechanism: uses a spherical core in the center of the cube. This core provides stability and ensures smoother rotations because the pieces rotate around the sphere. Although this mechanism may be slightly more complex to manufacture and may feel a bit heavier to some users, it also helps reduce jamming during rotation.
Maglev Mechanism: Maglev stands for magnetic levitation and replaces traditional springs with magnets. This significantly reduces internal friction, resulting in very smooth and quiet movements. In addition, magnetic levitation ensures more even tension within the cube. Although this mechanism is highly advanced, it can also be more expensive, and some users may need some time to adjust to the absence of traditional spring resistance.
Magnetic Mechanism: integrates small magnets into the individual pieces of the cube. These magnets attract each other and ensure that the pieces click precisely into place as they rotate. This provides clear tactile feedback and ensures stable, fast movements, minimizing unintended rotations and overshoot (a situation in which a rotation goes further than intended). Although the magnetic mechanism may make the cube slightly heavier due to the presence of the magnets, it does provide a significant improvement in stability and precision.
Enhanced-core Mechanism: features improved internal structures that utilize innovative materials and designs to enhance the cube’s overall performance. These mechanisms offer improved durability and precision, especially at higher speeds. Enhanced-core mechanisms reduce friction and wear, resulting in a smooth and consistent experience over the long term. Additionally, they offer improved stability, minimizing the likelihood of pops (where pieces pop out of the cube). Although these mechanisms may be more complex and costly, they increase the cube’s value through their improved performance and durability.
UV Coating: A popular choice is the UV coating. Although they may be slightly smoother, these cubes have a premium feel. A UV finish is a specific type of glossy coating achieved by applying a special varnish that is then cured under ultraviolet (UV) light. In addition to a glossy appearance, the UV finish offers extra protection against scratches and wear, making the cube very durable.
Frosted: A frosted finish is a slightly rough, grainy texture with a subtle, soft sheen. This texture makes fingerprints and smudges less visible, provides a better grip, and offers increased resistance to scratches and wear.
Matte: A speedcube with a matte finish has a smooth, non-glossy surface that is consistent and uniform in texture and appearance, without any variations or irregularities—a finish that is completely non-reflective. This texture reduces the visibility of fingerprints and smudges, provides extra grip, and creates a calmer visual appearance without reflections.
Black: Traditional speed cubes often have a black base plastic, which creates a strong visual contrast with the colored stickers. Stickers offer many customization options, but can wear out or come loose over time. As an alternative, many cubers opt for stickerless cubes, which use colored plastic pieces and eliminate the risk of sticker wear. These remain vibrant and are easy to maintain, although some competitions once had restrictions on their use.
Primary: For a more subtle look, there are cubes made of primary plastic—light gray or off-white base plastic—that offer a more subdued appearance. Although the visual contrast with the colored surfaces is less striking than with black cubes, they do have a unique and appealing aesthetic.
Gummy: There’s also the gummy texture, also known as a gummy finish. This rubbery coating provides extra grip, which is especially useful for cubers with sweaty hands. It allows for better control while turning, though it may feel a bit sticky to some users.
Glossy: Another popular choice is the glossy finish, which creates a shiny, reflective surface. Although visually appealing, a glossy finish may offer slightly less grip compared to matte or rubberized finishes.
Jelly: Jelly speedcubes stand out for their unique and eye-catching design. These cubes feature a translucent, pastel-colored finish that gives them a fresh, colorful look. The brightly colored, semi-transparent pieces make the cube visually appealing and playful. Despite their distinctive appearance, jelly cubes offer the same texture as standard plastic cubes, without the extra grip of a gummy finish. For speedcubers who are looking not only for performance but also for a cube with a unique look, jelly cubes are the perfect choice.
Metallic: For those looking for something truly unique, there’s also a metallic coating. These provide a striking sheen and a distinctive look; they’re primarily for decorative purposes and aren’t standard in the speedcubing world.
