Popular '80s puzzle challenging students again

In the words of Freshmen and master cuber, Mason Knarr, "Cube or die."

Even though there is one solution out of 43 quintillion possible combinations, the inventor of the Rubik’s Cube spent a month of solid research trying to figure out how to solve it. 

A Rubik’s Cube is a 3-D combination puzzle invented in 1974 by Hungarian sculptor and professor of architecture, Erno Rubik. The classic Rubik’s Cube has six sides covered by nine stickers, each of one of the six solid colors: white, red, blue, orange, green, and yellow. The objective of the game is to have each face returned with only one color.

Freshmen Mason Knarr demonstrates (at 2x speed)
how to solve a Rubik's Cube. The first time he did it,
it took him two days. Today, less than two minutes.

To play, you twist and turn each block to get a certain color on one side. It was made to symbolize contrasts of the human condition: bewildering problems and triumphant intelligence. Rubik’s Cubes are not only for solving when you’re bored, there is a competitive sport, as well!

Speedcubing is a sport where people compete to solve a cube as fast as they possibly can and beat other contender’s records. The fastest time, in the world, a Rubik’s Cube has ever been solved was 5.5 seconds. One of the fastest times at Lampeter-Strasburg is a little under a minute.

Knarr is a diehard Rubik’s Cuber. Among many others, his top inspiration is Tyler Beers. Before Knarr started cubing, he watched Beers set local record times. Knarr was taken by Beers emotional and passionate feelings towards solving the Rubik’s Cube.

It took Knarr two days to solve his first Rubik’s Cube and another two weeks to improve his overall speed. “It's very frustrating when you start, but you get the hang of it,” Knarr consults, “and you really have to push yourself to get a faster time.”

The popularity of the Rubik’s Cube has definitely increased; a ripple effect throughout the high school. Once a few people started doing it, everyone wanted to do it.

Before and (1 minute 27 seconds later) After.

These mental games are very popular, and they are very healthy for your brain. It improves spatial awareness, it exercises the brain, it demonstrates the need for practice, and it represents pure examples of true learning. Knarr says that he cubes because of the feeling he gets. “I can’t even explain it,” he says. He suggests that anyone who likes to be challenged, pushed, or satisfied of their hard work, should try a Rubik’s Cube. Even though it may seem impossible, the Rubik’s Cube can change the way you see the world.

--Mary Peticca, LSNews.org School News Reporter