Summary
In this episode of "Stuff You Should Know," the hosts delve into the history and popularity of the Rubik's Cube. The cube, invented by Hungarian math enthusiast and architect Erno Rubik in 1974, consists of 26 mini cubes and six different colored faces. The goal is to move the cubes around so that all of the colors are lined up on each face. The Rubik's Cube became a sensation in Hungary, but it wasn't until Tibor Laxi, an entrepreneur who had left Hungary and moved to Austria, discovered it and brought it to toy fairs that it became a global phenomenon. Ideal Toy Company purchased the global rights to the Rubik's Cube and sold 100 million cubes in the first two years of production.
Despite its popularity, solving the Rubik's Cube is not easy, and many people have to read about how to solve it and memorize patterns in order to do so. The cube has endured because it is a real challenge and offers a sense of reward once solved. The Rubik's Cube World Championship started in 1982 and ended in 2003. However, the internet brought about a resurgence in interest, and competitions started again, with people posting faster times than ever before. People now use specialized speed cubes, which are well-oiled machines that move quickly and easily. The Rubik's Cube has become an intellectual pursuit, with people memorizing hundreds of algorithms to solve it quickly.
The Rubik's Cube has a fascinating history, including patent battles and controversies surrounding its sponsorship. The cube involves complex math, including group theory and algorithms, and the maximum number of moves required to solve any configuration is known as God's number. While the computer has determined that God's number for the Rubik's Cube is 20, there are still puzzles to be solved, such as the devil's number. Erno Rubik, the inventor of the Rubik's Cube, is still alive and well and is considered a good guy.
In addition to discussing the Rubik's Cube, the hosts also addressed a listener's feedback on their pronunciation of the Sanskrit word for "tree" and the cultural significance of the coconut tree in India. The hosts thanked the listener for their correction and encouraged other listeners to reach out to them with feedback.
Overall, the episode provides an interesting look into the history and ongoing popularity of the Rubik's Cube, as well as its complex mathematical and algorithmic components. It also highlights the importance of cultural sensitivity and the value of listener feedback in creating informative and engaging content.
