Inventor of Rubik's Cube and Teacher of Architecture & Design 

Ernő Rubik studied architecture and design in Budapest, Hungary and started lecturing as an assistant professor of design in the 1970s. While trying to give his students a true “feel” for spatial transformation and descriptive geometry, Mr. Rubik developed several 3D constructions, among them his best-known puzzle, the Rubik’s Cube. Patented in 1975, Rubik’s Cube made its international debut at the New York Toy Fair in 1980 to quickly become a global phenomenon as the best-selling toy in history.

In addition to the Cube, Mr. Rubik patented several successful toys and design pieces including the Magic Snake in 1977 and Rubik’s Magic in 1985, selling millions of pieces of both worldwide. He has also remained a prolific architect, designing family homes, and is actively engaged in interior design. He co-founded the Hungarian Engineering Academy, the Palace of Marvels (a science center in Budapest), and most recently the Aquincum Institute of Technology (AIT) where his latest public sculpture is also on display.

A recipient of numerous national and international distinctions, Mr. Rubik has also been engaged in major international projects promoting innovation and creativity. He acted as Ambassador to the European Year of Innovation and Creativity and has been a member of the European Inventor Award’s international jury. On the 40th anniversary of the Cube’s invention, Mr. Rubik opened “Beyond Rubik’s Cube”, a global traveling science exhibition co-produced with Liberty Science Center (NJ, USA) and Google. He is currently working on his book “Cubed” to be published next year.