# rubiks cube fans, advice and stories wanted! **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [February 2, 2012, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubiks-cube-fans-advice-and-stories-wanted/611512 "2012-02-02T05:40:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubiks-cube-fans-advice-and-stories-wanted/611512/21 "2012-02-08T21:57:26Z")
8 squares, actually. Man, I thought I was good at that, but under a second? Even if my hands could move that fast, I think I’d tear it apart. My favorite trick with the Magic is to solve it behind my back with someone watching, and then “reverse the steps” so they can see how it’s done, but using a completely different method. EDIT: Oh, and your link doesn’t work. ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubiks-cube-fans-advice-and-stories-wanted/611512/22 "2012-02-08T22:05:58Z")
that link worked this morning. I’ll try it again. It’s an amazing thing to see. ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubiks-cube-fans-advice-and-stories-wanted/611512/23 "2012-02-08T22:28:47Z")
Indeed… 8 squares. thanks for the correction. There’s also a huge rubiks magic out there now, I’ll post a link to one of those as well. here it is again. I hope. [super slow mo overhead shot of rubiks magic solve](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2RkhUDXM-Q) here’s a different link to another kid. check this out. [ninja rubiks magic solve 1](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kp2oWfFFcfI&feature=related) [slow motion for a .75 second solve - different kid](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0F6Og_akiZo&feature=related) here’s a master magic - 12 squares — little bastard! [wow](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JNrE1Z9pQo&feature=related) and of course, for those that are bored out of their minds, the 100 square rubiks grand master magic. [look at the size of this puzzle!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuXLEY2njkk&feature=related) ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubiks-cube-fans-advice-and-stories-wanted/611512/24 "2012-02-08T22:36:03Z")
I’ve had one of these for years: [Pyraminx Crystal - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyraminx_Crystal) I’ve never solved it. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2012, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubiks-cube-fans-advice-and-stories-wanted/611512/25 "2012-02-09T00:59:56Z")
Huh, that’s a _completely_ different method than any of the ones I use. I don’t think I even recognize the first move. And I also have a Rubik’s Cube-like tetrahedron (don’t know the brand; it’s probably a cheap knock-off), but that’s a _lot_ easier than the cube is. ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2012, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubiks-cube-fans-advice-and-stories-wanted/611512/26 "2012-02-09T01:28:00Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Huh, that’s a _completely_ different method than any of the ones I use. I don’t think I even recognize the first move. > > And I also have a Rubik’s Cube-like tetrahedron (don’t know the brand; it’s probably a cheap knock-off), but that’s a _lot_ easier than the cube is. Is that the one that looks like a pyramid? If so, it it a breeze to solve compared to the cube. But they have come out with a thing called vulcano, or something, and each side has another side attached to it. Very strange looking, but I would love to try it. If you are bored go to YouTube and search for Tony fisher in the rubiks cube area. He has invented countless cubes that are unique. Some of them have been picked up and mass produced, but the majority of them are just twisty puzzles he came up with. Also, in YouTube, search on rubik cube Oskar, and you will find another prolific puzzle creator. These two guys are amazing in that they have come up with puzzles and internal structures I could never dream of. If you are into these things, and can appreciate the engineering behind some of the cubes and other twisty puzzles, take a YouTube tour. You will see oskars 17x17x17 rubiks cube. I’d post links, but I suck at typing on this handheld thing. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2012, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubiks-cube-fans-advice-and-stories-wanted/611512/27 "2012-02-09T02:07:31Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > I’ve had one of these for years: [Pyraminx Crystal - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyraminx_Crystal) > > I’ve never solved it. Oops. It’s actually this one: [Square-1 (puzzle) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Square_One_%28puzzle%29) ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2012, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubiks-cube-fans-advice-and-stories-wanted/611512/28 "2012-02-09T06:29:50Z")
Oh, yeah, I have a Square One, too. I can consistently get it back to a cube, but I haven’t yet worked it out well enough to solve the colors. Mathematically, though, it should be considerably simpler than Rubik’s. And the 17x17 is impressive (clever trick, making the corners larger to hold it all together), but it’s a bit disappointing that the corner and edge cubelets aren’t colored. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2012, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubiks-cube-fans-advice-and-stories-wanted/611512/29 "2012-02-10T04:30:49Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > If you are bored go to YouTube and search for Tony fisher in the rubiks cube area. He has invented countless cubes that are unique. Some of them have been picked up and mass produced, but the majority of them are just twisty puzzles he came up with. Also, in YouTube, search on rubik cube Oskar, and you will find another prolific puzzle creator. These two guys are amazing in that they have come up with puzzles and internal structures I could never dream of. OK, I’m impressed. These are amateur puzzle makers? How do they get their ideas made? ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2012, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubiks-cube-fans-advice-and-stories-wanted/611512/30 "2012-02-10T18:17:16Z")
> [@Yookeroo](#): > > OK, I’m impressed. These are amateur puzzle makers? How do they get their ideas made? Permit me to introduce you to [www.shapeways.com](http://www.shapeways.com) Unless you already knew about it, of course. One of the coolest sites on the web. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2012, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubiks-cube-fans-advice-and-stories-wanted/611512/31 "2012-02-10T23:05:39Z")
Some of those videos are freaking incredible. However I had to laugh at one of the comments: “thank you rubik’s company for stopping teen pregnancy for as long as you have” ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubiks-cube-fans-advice-and-stories-wanted/611512/32 "2012-02-11T00:19:57Z")
They really are. I had no idea that rubiks cubes were still popular, and not only are they still out there, they’ve come out with so many other puzzles. Add to that the unbelievable solve times, and if you liked rubiks cubes like I did, you can kill a few hours out on YouTube without realizing your butt went to sleep. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubiks-cube-fans-advice-and-stories-wanted/611512/33 "2012-02-11T21:28:15Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > Permit me to introduce you to [www.shapeways.com](http://www.shapeways.com) > > Unless you already knew about it, of course. One of the coolest sites on the web. That is cool. But now I wonder what kind of market is there for $300 Rubik’s cube style puzzles. ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubiks-cube-fans-advice-and-stories-wanted/611512/34 "2012-02-12T08:01:38Z")
> [@Yookeroo](#): > > That is cool. But now I wonder what kind of market is there for $300 Rubik’s cube style puzzles. More than you’d think, but not nearly enough to make a fortune. Actually, if you look at oskar’s area on shapeways, you will see a number of puzzles that are priced out of reach for most. I suspect collectors of these types of puzzles will buy what they can afford, but even something as unique as the 17x17x17 cube is not practical. Shapeways is good for modeling, but I don’t think the materials they use are good for mass production. So a cube like that would have to be made by the injection mold process to cut costs, and even then, who is buying that for anything but novelty? The shapeways prototypes are not easy to turn. They are more like artwork to me. But shapeways does permit an idea to come alive, and I think a few puzzles have been picked up by mass producers. What I cant figure out is how Oskar or anyone else for that matter can afford to create something on shapeways on a regular basis. I know you can go out and buy their designs, so perhaps the website gives them credit. Still, I’m amazed that one or two people can come up with so many ideas, not to mention the internal movements. ---
**Author:** ![sleestak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sleestak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleestak)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2012, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubiks-cube-fans-advice-and-stories-wanted/611512/35 "2012-02-13T04:12:20Z")
I don’t really have any advice on how to solve the cube other than become a mathematician. My father has a Phd in math and has always been extremely good at logic type puzzles. For a while I’d try and stump him with puzzles. I never succeeded. It was silly, I’d find a new one, work on it for a long while, solve it. Then I’d take it to Dad. I think the longest I stumped him was about 10 minutes. I’d give him whatever puzzle I’d found. He’d get a look on his face like he was going to kill someone (his thinking hard face) and solve it. So for one Fathers Day I got him a Rubiks Cube. He opened it up. Looked at it and said ‘Oh, that’s group theory’. Then solved it in about 3 minutes the first time he tried. That was pretty much the end of trying to stump Dad. Slee ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubiks-cube-fans-advice-and-stories-wanted/611512/36 "2012-02-14T03:32:14Z")
> [@sleestak](#): > > So for one Fathers Day I got him a Rubiks Cube. > > He opened it up. Looked at it and said ‘Oh, that’s group theory’. Then solved it in about 3 minutes the first time he tried. > > That was pretty much the end of trying to stump Dad. > > Slee that’s impressive. I don’t care who you are, you look at a cube for the first time and be able to solve it that quickly indicates a level of intelligence most can’t even aspire to. Erno Rubik, the inventor, took much longer to solve it after mixing it for the first time. I can’t remember off-hand, but I want to say it took him either a few days or weeks. But I can’t find that info anywhere on the web. I hope your dad is working for the government somewhere in a capacity that mankind can benefit from his ability to problem-solve/. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubiks-cube-fans-advice-and-stories-wanted/611512/37 "2012-02-14T03:53:01Z")
Yeah, realizing that it’s group theory is something any mathematician could do, but going from there to being able to solve it immediately is a much bigger step. Did your dad get a chance to play with it for a while in its solved state first, or did you hand it to him already scrambled? If the latter, it’s even more impressive, since the easiest way to familiarize yourself with the effect of sequences of moves is to see their effect on a solved cube. ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubiks-cube-fans-advice-and-stories-wanted/611512/38 "2012-02-14T20:02:31Z")
I had to post this. I was looking at some speed solve videos, and I stumbled onto this. Apparently, a world record, but I’m not sure what this skill is. Still, it’s impressive… Moving Dixie cups like this is not easy. [check this out!](http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=US&reload=2&rdm=4pmbrcso1#/watch?v=fLREkg4Cufk) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubiks-cube-fans-advice-and-stories-wanted/611512.md?page=1)