Cubed

Erno Rubik - the inventor of the Rubik's Cube - inspires us with what he's learned in a lifetime of creating, curiosity and discovery.

Erno Rubik was a child when he first became obsessed with puzzles of all kinds. 'Puzzles', he writes, 'bring out important qualities in each of us: concentration, curiosity, a sense of play, the eagerness to discover a solution'. To Rubik puzzles aren't just games - they're creativity machines. He encourages us to embrace our inner curiosity and find the puzzles that surround us in our everyday lives. Rubik's own puzzle, the Cube, went on to be solved by millions worldwide for over forty years, becoming one of the bestselling toys of all time and a global symbol of intelligence and ingenuity.

In Cubed, Rubik covers more than just his journey to inventing his eponymous cube. He makes a case for the importance of being an amateur - as he has always considered himself. He discusses the inevitability of problems during any act of invention. He reveals what it was like to experience the astonishing worldwide success of an object he made purely for his own play. And he offers what he thinks it means to be a true creator (hint: anyone can do it). Steeped in the wisdom and also the humility of a born inventor, Cubed offers a unique look at the imperfect science of creation.

About the Author

Erno Rubik (1944) is a Hungarian inventor, architect and professor of architecture. He is best known for the invention of mechanical puzzles including Rubik's Cube (1974), Rubik's Magic and Rubik's Snake/Twist. While Rubik became famous for inventing the Rubik's Cube and his other puzzles, much of his recent work involves the promotion of science in education.

Rubik is involved with several organisations such as Beyond Rubik's Cube, the Acquincum Institute of Technology, and the Judit Polgar Chess Foundation all of whom aim to engage students in science, mathematics and problem solving at a young age.