In 1974 a Hungarian Architect Invented One Of The Best Selling Toys Of All Time
๐ 350 Million Units Sold
๐ฐ 5 Billion In Global Revenue
How Erno Rubik Turned A Class Project Into A Global Phenomenon
๐๐ป ๐งต ๐๐ป
๐ 350 Million Units Sold
๐ฐ 5 Billion In Global Revenue
How Erno Rubik Turned A Class Project Into A Global Phenomenon
๐๐ป ๐งต ๐๐ป
1/ Erno Rubik was born July 13th, 1944 in Budapest, Hungary to Emo and Magdolna Rubik
His father, Emo, was a highly respected engineer whom worked at the Esztergom aircraft factory.
Fueled by his father's influence, Erno became increasingly interested in architecture and design
His father, Emo, was a highly respected engineer whom worked at the Esztergom aircraft factory.
Fueled by his father's influence, Erno became increasingly interested in architecture and design
2/ From 1958 to 1962 Erno studied sculpture at the Secondary School of Fine & Applied Arts in Budapest
He later attended the Budapest University of Technology and the Hungarian Academy of Applied Arts from 1962-1971
Ultimately becoming a faculty member at each institution
He later attended the Budapest University of Technology and the Hungarian Academy of Applied Arts from 1962-1971
Ultimately becoming a faculty member at each institution
3/ In 1971 Erno moved on to become a professor at the Budapest College of Applied Arts
It was during his tenure there, that the idea for the original "Magic Cube" was born
While looking for a tool to explain 3D transformation to his students, Erno decided why not build his own
It was during his tenure there, that the idea for the original "Magic Cube" was born
While looking for a tool to explain 3D transformation to his students, Erno decided why not build his own
4/ Crafting the original cubes using only his bare hands, Erno cobbled together his initial design in 1974
A combination of paper, wood, and even food, the original cubes were far from magical
However, when Erno showed his creation to his students, they loved it!
A combination of paper, wood, and even food, the original cubes were far from magical
However, when Erno showed his creation to his students, they loved it!
5/ At this point, Erno believed he had stumbled onto a product which would appeal to a larger audience, what to do next?
He set out an a mission to find a way to mass produce the cube and partnered with a small Hungarian factory known for making chess pieces
He set out an a mission to find a way to mass produce the cube and partnered with a small Hungarian factory known for making chess pieces
6/ As popularity increased, demand became too much for the small Hungarian factory to handle
Erno had to begin exploring options beyond the Iron Curtain
While attending the 1979 Nuremburg Toy Fair, his design was noticed by Tom Kremer, a US based marketing executive
Erno had to begin exploring options beyond the Iron Curtain
While attending the 1979 Nuremburg Toy Fair, his design was noticed by Tom Kremer, a US based marketing executive
7/ Kremer would go on to introduce the Magic Cube to "Ideal Toy Company" who would ultimately license and distribute the toy worldwide
There was only one problem
Due to copywright issues surrounding the name "Magic Cube", the name of Erno's puzzle must be changed
There was only one problem
Due to copywright issues surrounding the name "Magic Cube", the name of Erno's puzzle must be changed
8/ In 1980, prior to being introduced to an international audience, the name was changed to honor it's creator and would now be known simply as...
Rubik's Cube
What followed was a global sensation
Over 100 million units would be sold in the next 3 years
Rubik's Cube
What followed was a global sensation
Over 100 million units would be sold in the next 3 years
9/ Since then, Rubik's Cube has become one of the most popular toys of all time.
Lifetime sales are estimated to be over 350 million units with 5 billion in global revenue.
Lifetime sales are estimated to be over 350 million units with 5 billion in global revenue.
10/ Today, Erno's Magic Cube is still going strong
Kept alive by organizations such as the "World Cube Association"
With over 100K participants in the last decade, the WCA holds competitions for "cubers" to complete mechanical puzzles
The most famous of which...
Rubik's Cube
Kept alive by organizations such as the "World Cube Association"
With over 100K participants in the last decade, the WCA holds competitions for "cubers" to complete mechanical puzzles
The most famous of which...
Rubik's Cube
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โข For more like this ๐๐ป
โข Follow Me @blakeaburge I'd appreciate it!
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