The Mirror Blocks, also known as the Mirror Cube and Bump Cube, is a type of combination puzzle and shape modification of the standard 3×3×3 Rubik's Cube and was invented in 2006. The puzzle's internal mechanism is nearly identical to that of the Rubik's Cube, although it differs from normal 3×3 cubes in that all pieces are the same color (typically reflective gold or silver stickers) and are identified by shape since each one is also a distinct rectangular prism.[1][2] Like the Ghost Cube and Mastermorphix, the Mirror Blocks has a 3×3×3 shape, meaning that it can be solved the same way as the 3×3×3 Rubik's Cube. The fastest single solve for Mirror Blocks in a competition is 10.07 seconds and was achieved by Braden Richards in Huntington, West Virginia on May 17, 2024.[3][4][5]
Origin
editThe Mirror Blocks was originally invented by Hidetoshi Takeji in 2006.[1] He initially named the puzzle the "Bump Cube" due to it having an uneven, bumpy surface when scrambled. At a competition in Osaka, Hidetoshi showed his puzzle to a speedcuber who took great interest in it. Hidetoshi decided to lend his puzzle to the speedcuber, who showed it to a project group. In the fall of 2008, the puzzle was first mass-produced in Boston by Rubik's and manufactured by MegaHouse. When it was released, it was officially named the Mirror Blocks. Mirror Blocks have since been made by multiple manufacturers, and in versions with 4×4×4 and 5×5×5 mechanisms.
References
edit- ^ a b Cadeddu, Giacomo (March 10, 2022). "Cubo di Rubik, dall'originale al 2x2: i migliori in circolazione" [Rubik's cube, from the original to 2x2: the best in circulation]. Corriere della Sera (in Italian). Retrieved January 5, 2023.
- ^ Christopher, McFadden (January 26, 2021). "11+ of the Oddest and Most Interesting Takes on Ernő Rubik's Cube". Interesting Engineering. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
- ^ "Country Roads Huntington 2024 Results". CubingContests. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
- ^ "Online Mirror Cube (3x3x3) - Grubiks". Grubiks. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
- ^ "TwistyPuzzles.com > Museum > Bump Cube". Twisty Puzzles. Retrieved 23 December 2017.