Solving the world's largest Rubik's Cube takes seven and a half hours: And we think that's completely reasonable

I must admit, this is beyond my comprehension.

Solving the world's largest Rubik's Cube takes seven and a half hours 
And we think that's completely reasonable 

 17x17x17 Solve - Time-lapse

LSC Needs the Public's Help to Create the World's Largest Rubik's Cube®

LSC Needs the Public's Help to Create the World's Largest Rubik's Cube®
The Giant Glowing Cube Will Travel Around the World for Seven Years
JERSEY CITY, N.J., May 21, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Liberty Science Center is endeavoring to build Groovik's Cube – a 1.5-story high Rubik's Cube® that can be controlled via the Web from anywhere in the world. The Center is asking people around the globe to contribute to a $500,000 campaign to make Groovik's Cube a reality via the popular fundraising site Indiegogo (www.lsc.org/grooviks). Donors will receive exciting perks ranging from t-shirts to trips to Budapest as a show of appreciation for their support.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130521/DC17671)

"Groovik's Cube will serve as a symbol of the power of math, science and creativity," says Paul Hoffman , Liberty Science Center President and CEO. "With the public's help, we can send this powerful interactive icon around the world, inspiring people of all ages with the excitement of science and technology."

The giant art-meets-science installation will premiere at LSC in spring 2014, on the 40th anniversary of the invention of Rubik's Cube. It will be the centerpiece of "Beyond Rubik's Cube," a 7,000-square-foot exhibition designed to celebrate the world's most popular puzzle and the many cool things the Cube has inspired in robotics, engineering, mathematics, design, art and film.

The original Groovik's Cube was designed for the Burning Man art festival in 2009 by a team of artists led by Barry Brumitt andMike Tyka , but will be installed indoors at LSC as it is not sturdy enough to travel extensively. The funding will help LSC create a new and improved version to be installed outdoors where it will be viewable from NJ and NYC for nine months before it begins a world tour alongside the traveling exhibition.

Perks for donors exist at every level and range from posters ($25) and t-shirts ($35), to exhibition preview events and the opportunity to help install the Groovik's Cube ($25,000 each). Personalized Cubes, speed cubing lessons, and exclusive Cube control (with celebratory light shows for successful solving attempts!) are also available. One generous donor will have the opportunity to explore Budapest, the city where the Cube was born, guided by LSC CEO and friend of Erno Rubik , Paul Hoffman ($35,000, trip for 2).  

To get involved, please visit www.lsc.org/grooviks.

About Liberty Science CenterLiberty Science Center (LSC.org) is a 300,000-square-foot learning center located in Liberty State Park on the Jersey City bank of the Hudson near the Statue of Liberty. Dedicated to bringing the excitement of science to people of all ages, Liberty Science Center houses 12 museum exhibition halls, a live animal collection with 110 species, giant aquariums, a 3D theater, the nation's largest IMAX Dome Theater, live simulcast surgeries, tornado and hurricane-force wind simulators, K-12 classrooms and labs, and teacher-development programs. More than half a million students, teachers, and parents visit the Science Center each year, and tens of thousands more participate in the Center's offsite and online programs.  

Rubik's Cube ® used by permission of Seven Towns Ltd.

SOURCE Liberty Science Center

Rubik's Runner goes for Guinness record

As a runner traing for his first marathon (see http://runnersdilemma.blogspot.com/), and as a guy who plays with his Rubik's Cube a lot, this caught my eye.

Rubik's Runner goes for Guinness record

LONDON, March 2 (UPI) -- An animator says he will attempt to set a new Guinness World Record by working out 100 Rubik's cubes while running the London Marathon.

What's New in Rubik's Cube?

What's New in Rubik's Cube?

Products remain classic. Variations on packaging are about it. Many of us true Rubik's geeks though are more than happy to give these as Christmas gifts, or to replace worn out devices.

The classic: Rubik's Cube

1. Rubik's Cube Brain Teaser Puzzle with Helpful Hints
2. Rubik's Cube 4x4
3. Rubik's Professor Cube 5x5
4. Rubik's 30th Anniversary Wood Edition
5. Winning Moves Games: Rubik's Cube 3x3
6. Rubik's Cube 25th Anniversary
7. Rubik's Cube Allspark 2
8. Rubik's Ice Cube
9. Rubik's Slide
10. Rubik's 360
11. Rubik's Twist (Colors May Vary)V-Cube 7 Multicolor
12. V-Cube 7 Multicolor
13. Rubik's Revenge Cube 4 X 4
14. Rubiks Key Ring - A Rubiks Cube Keychain by Winning Moves
15. Rubik's TouchCube
16. QJ Pyraminx Sticker Puzzle Cube Black
17. Techno Source Rubik's Revolution
18. Rubik's Icon
19. V-Cube 5 Multicolor
20. V-Cube 6 Multicolor
21. CyberCube Black [Toy]
22. Winning Moves Games Rubik's You Can Do It
23. Lanlan 2x2 Speed Cube Black

Black Friday is here. Black Monday is coming.

Black Friday is here. Black Monday is coming.

30 Years of Geeking Out With Rubik's Cube

Has it been that long? Sort of. 1977 is the real date of its birth, but oppression in Hungary had yet to be lifted.

Excellent look at all of this by John Booth in Wired Magazine. "The 30-Year Rubik’s Invasion Continues."

New Rubik's puzzle to toy with minds - Rubik's 360

"the man who invented the toy, Hungarian puzzle mastermind Professor Erno Rubik, has dreamt up a new game to entertain or annoy - the Rubik's 360."

But now the man who invented the toy, Hungarian puzzle mastermind ...
ABC Online
The current world speedcubing champion, Dutch teenager Erik Akkersdijk, who blitzed the Rubik's Cube in 7.08 seconds, says he cannot wait to test his skills on the newest successor to the maddening cube.

International Rubik's Cube Competition

Don't miss: International Rubik's Cube Competition

The Exploratorium in San Francisco once again plays host to the Super Bowl of Rubik's Cube competitions, where the world's best cubers will try to solve the puzzle in record time. Competition will include everything from straight cubing to blindfolded speed solving.

Documentary about Rubik's Cube enthusiasts debuts at Atlantic Film Festival

Documentary about Rubik's Cube enthusiasts debuts at Atlantic Film Festival
more

HALIFAX — Remember the Rubik's Cube?

The mechanical puzzle seemed to disappear from the cultural landscape of the early 1980's faster than mullets and glam rock bands.

But, Hungarian architect Erno Rubik's brilliant creation has apparently found new life, despite being dismissed as a toy for nerds by those incapable of solving its mathematical complexities.

The rebirth is due in large part to the Internet and the posting of algorithms that allow some players to sort out the cube's colours in as little as 11 seconds.

more

World Cube Association Competitions Worldwide April 26-Sept. 7

World Cube Association Competitions Worldwide April 26 - September 7

• 2008
  Sep 6-7
  Euro 2008
  Poland, Kraków
  Centrum Kongresowe Akademii Rolniczej w Krakowie
  
• 2008
  Jul 19-20
  US Open 2008
  USA, Atlanta, Georgia
  Underground Atlanta
  
• 2008
  Jul 12-13
  Czech Open 2008
  Czech Republic, Pardubice
  t.b.a.
  
• 2008
  Jun 21
  Italian Open 2008
  Italy, Monza
  Autodromo di Monza
  
• 2008
  Jun 21
  Minnesota Open 2008
  USA, Rochester, Minnesota
  Gethsemane Lutheran Brethren Church
  
• 2008
  Jun 14-15
  Da Vinci Science Center 2008
  USA, Allentown, Pennsylvania
  Da Vinci Science Center
  
• 2008
  Jun 7
  Polish Open 2008
  Poland, Wadowice
  Zespol Szkol Publicznych nr 2
  
• 2008
  May 31 - Jun 1
  Nantes Open 2008
  France, Nantes
  Cité Universitaire Cast
  
• 2008
  May 31
  Cincinnati Spring Open 2008
  USA, Cincinnati, Ohio
  Cincinnati Museum Center
  
• 2008
  May 24
  San Diego Open 2008
  USA, San Diego, California
  Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
  
• 2008
  May 24
  Captain's Cove 2008
  USA, Bridgeport, Connecticut
  Captain's Cove Seaport
  
• 2008
  May 17
  Washington DC Open 2008
  USA, Alexandria, Virginia
  Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
  
• 2008
  May 17
  Utah Open 2008
  USA, Salt Lake City, Utah
  University of Utah
  
• 2008
  May 10
  Pabianice Open 2008
  Poland, Pabianice
  Hala Koszykowki
  
• 2008
  May 5
  Kashiwa Open 2008
  Japan, Kashiwa
  Kashiwa Civic Hall
  
• 2008
  May 2-3
  Barcelona Open 2008
  Spain, Terrassa
  Centre Cívic President Macià
  
• 2008
  May 2
  Beijing Spring Open 2008
  China, Beijing
  GuiZhou mansion
  
• 2008
  Apr 26
  Berkeley Spring 2008
  USA, Berkeley, California
  Berkeley University of California
  
• 2008
  Apr 26-27
  Armonk Spring 2008
  USA, Armonk, New York
  La Quinta Inn and Suites

Romney and Rubik?

Where's Rubik's Cube? Politics today?

Campaign Notebook: Super Tuesday Is Romney's `Rubik's Cube'
Bloomberg
5 map like it's a ``Rubik's cube'' to find a strategy that will keep him in the nomination race, according to senior adviser Ben Ginsberg. ...

(political sorts can try Ron Paul for President or Hillary Clinton for President: Media Observation)

The Rubik's Cube Terminator, Eric & Ernie do Atari, and the Facebook News Network

Huh? All of this together? I had to check it out, and think you might find it interesting too. In this case, just Rubik's Cube solved by none other than Megatron's much more creepy and evil cousin.



A couple more videos on odd stuff at the Guardian

Rubik's Cube Solved by Japanese 16-year-old in 10.88 Seconds

Rubik's Cube Solved in 10.88 Seconds
By PABLO GORONDI

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — A 16-year-old took the top prize at the Rubik's Cube world championship Sunday, solving the puzzle five times in an average of 12.46 seconds.

But the fastest single attempt was a cool 10.88 seconds, just off the world record of 9.86 seconds.

Yu Nakajima of Japan won the main event for twisting the classic 3x3 cube — which has nine colored tiles on each on its six sides — into the winning position, where all like-colored tiles are on the same face.

Andrew Kang of the United States, who came in second for the main event, set the best time for a single attempt at the championship. The world record has been held by Thibaut Jacquinot of France since May. more

read about Rubik's Cube, its inventor, and buy products

Rubik's Cube World Championship in Budapest in October

Puzzlers seek Rubik's glory
The Press Association
Hungary is hosting the world Rubik's Cube championship, where the most nimble participants will be vying to beat the world record time for solving the puzzle - 9.86 seconds - which is barely a tenth of a second slower than the world men's 100 metres sprinting record.

There will be 17 separate events, one of which is a race to complete the Cube while blindfolded. Another challenge is to do it using only one hand.

The 9.86 seconds time was set by Thibaut Jacquinot, of France, in May. The event in Hungary is due to attract more than 300 people... more

Hungary to host 4th world Rubik's Cube championship in October
Malaysia Star

Hungary to host fourth Rubik's Cube world championship
Earthtimes.org

all 11 news articles »

High School Musical Star Vanessa Hudgens Starts a Rubik´s Revolution(TM) at Toys "R" Us Times Square

High School Musical Star Vanessa Hudgens Starts a Rubik´s Revolution(TM) at Toys "R" Us Times Square

NEW YORK, June 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Vanessa Hudgens, solo recording artist and star of High School Musical and High School Musical 2, will be at Toys "R" Us Times Square today to launch electronic toy and game maker Techno Source's Rubik's Revolution(TM), the first electronic follow-up to the iconic Rubik's(R) Cube. Vanessa will be joined by her father, Greg Hudgens, for a pre-Father's Day celebration to unveil this highly anticipated game that brings the classic puzzle from Greg's generation into Vanessa's world. The Rubik's Revolution is currently available exclusively at Toys "R" Us stores nationwide and will be available at other major retailers this summer for $19.99.

Hailed by toy industry leaders and praised by visitors at this February's American International Toy Fair in New York City, the electronic Rubik's Revolution puts a new spin on cubing while capturing the essence of the original 3x3 cube.

"Rubik's Revolution is truly innovative. It's rare that a follow-up can match or even surpass the original in respect to creativity, game play, and fun, but Techno Source has developed a product that achieves this feat," says Jim Silver, editor-in-chief of Toy Wishes magazine.

Featuring voice, lights and sound effects, the Rubik's Revolution offers at least six built-in games (Light Speed(TM), Rapid Recharge(TM), Pattern Panic(TM), Cube Catcher(TM), Code Cracker(TM), and Multiplayer Madness(TM) that challenge both players' minds and dexterity. It even includes multi- player functions, allowing parents and kids to play together.

At the Toys "R" Us event, kids, fathers and families will experience the Revolution first-hand and have a chance to test their skills against Vanessa and her dad. Vanessa will also host a special presentation to unveil Rubik's Revolution at 1:30 p.m. A private autograph signing will follow where special ticket holders will have a chance to meet Vanessa and get her autograph. In- store contests and activities will kick off at 1 p.m. and continue through 4 p.m.

"My father and I are happy to be together in New York City today launching the Rubik's Revolution and getting an early start to our Father's Day celebration!" says Vanessa Hudgens. "We look forward to competing against each other in cube contests and interacting with other father/child teams at Toys "R" Us Times Square." Vanessa is coming off a High School Musical Latin America tour and will be starring in this summer's much-anticipated High School Musical 2.

"Since Rubik's Cube was introduced in 1980, it has sold nearly 300 million pieces, making it an obsession, not to mention a pop icon, recognized around the world," says Eric Levin, Executive Vice President of Techno Source. "We're excited to have rising 21st century pop star Vanessa Hudgens help us introduce the Rubik's Revolution to a new generation of Rubik's fans."
For more information about the new cube and its various game options, visit http://news.corporate.findlaw.com/prnewswire/20070616/www.rubiksrevolution.com or .
RUBIK'S(R) and RUBIK'S(R) CUBE are registered trademarks of Seven Towns Ltd. Used under license.

About Techno Source
One of the fastest growing companies in the toy business, Techno Source is a privately held company headquartered in Hong Kong and with offices in New York. The company is committed to delivering high-quality electronic toys, games and learning aids featuring top-tier licensed brands at aggressive price points. Its award-winning branded product portfolio includes Intellivision(TM), Bee(R) & Bicycle(R) (U.S. Playing Card Company), Activision, Warner Bros. Consumer Products (Scooby-Doo(TM), Batman Begins(TM), Teen Titans(TM), The Batman(TM)), Marvel, NASCAR(R), Sesame Street (R), Rubik's(R) and Crayola(TM).Techno Source
CONTACT: Linda Krebs, +1-212-725-4500, ext. 339, lkrebs@schwartz.com, orDebbie Grunbaum, +1-212-725-4500, ext. 326, dgrunbaum@schwartz.com , bothfor Techno Source; or Bob Friedland of Toys "R" Us, +1-646-366-8862,friedlab@toysrus.com
Web site: http://www.technosourceusa.com/