A Twist of Fate: The Invention of the Rubik's Cube Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation
![A Twist of Fate: The Invention of the Rubik's Cube Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation](https://invention.si.edu/sites/default/files/blog_msmith-07152014_Buvos%20Kocka%20package_Google%20images_beachpackagingdesign.com_.jpg)
Forty years ago, Ernő Rubik thought up the idea for the Rubik’s Cube in order to help teach three-dimensional design to his students. Today the number of Rubik’s Cubes sold worldwide is estimated at about 350 million.
![](https://invention.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_teaser_image/public/lemcen-logos-mind-smithsonian-collection-teaser-edit.jpg?itok=Kjhl4VNW)
A Twist of Fate: The Invention of the Rubik's Cube Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation
![](https://invention.si.edu/sites/default/files/blog_msmith-07152014_Disassembled_Rubik%27s_cube_wikimedia%20commons.jpg)
A Twist of Fate: The Invention of the Rubik's Cube Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation
![](https://scontent-fra5-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.29350-15/384579006_275703655427280_5416882101272941508_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&_nc_ohc=QTMjPKQlTVgAX_16uzc&_nc_ht=scontent-fra5-2.cdninstagram.com&edm=AM6HXa8EAAAA&oh=00_AfB4-bdKLs7G7UQDJSOGucI1M6g5xebYOUb328gQhTNEfg&oe=65BF3843)
Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation
![](https://invention.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_teaser_image/public/lemcen_interns-garber-elizabeth_dscn0908-thumbnail.jpg?itok=m60rwduO)
Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation
![](https://cdn.historycollection.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/garfield-garfield-doll.-studio-alijn-via-flickr-2013-768x1024.jpg)
Most Nostalgic Kids Toys from the 1980s
![](https://invention.si.edu/sites/default/files/blog-smith-monica-2020-04-10-massive-deposit-of-ash-near-mt-st-helens-volcano-3-oct-1980-cus-forest-service-pacific-northwest-region-from-wikimedia-commons-750-inline-edit.jpg)
Disaster Board Games Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation
![](https://cdn.historycollection.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/simon-simon-the-memory-game.-shritwod-2018.jpg)
Most Nostalgic Kids Toys from the 1980s
![](https://invention.si.edu/sites/default/files/blog_msmith-07152014_DSC_2173_original%20Rubik%27s%20cube%20prototype_LSC.jpg)
A Twist of Fate: The Invention of the Rubik's Cube Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation
![](https://edwardbetts.com/book_covers/006298.jpg)
Books: Isaac Newton
![](https://invention.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_teaser_image/public/blog_belman-2015-07-23_cWikimediaCommons_NES-Power-Glove-e1.jpg?itok=-t90x5pA)
A Twist of Fate: The Invention of the Rubik's Cube Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation
![](https://invention.si.edu/sites/default/files/inventors-wright-john-lloyd-wright-blocks-cshutterpopphoto-750-inline-edit.jpg)
Lincoln Logs Inventor John Lloyd Wright Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation
![](https://invention.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_banner_image/public/inventors-wright-john-lloyd-lincoln-logs-ad-hb3-656-banner-edit.jpg?itok=eSQOrQrn)
Lincoln Logs Inventor John Lloyd Wright Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation
![](https://invention.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_teaser_image/public/sparklab-draper-c-chris-gauthier-smithsonian-2015-opening-week-10-teaser-edit.jpg?itok=b373cbNM)
Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation
![](https://invention.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_teaser_image/public/lemcen_books_02-fenster-cover-squarecrop.jpg?itok=CkkHhCLo)
Legendary inventors Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation