By Tim Robinson

In the early '80s, I was gifted a Rubik's cube. It was an instant hit with me and an instant annoyance to my wife. I began fiddling with it constantly. I love puzzles and this one puzzled me a lot.

The first day (Saturday I was twisting and turning. She readied to go out to Saturday church. She may have even been shaking her head in dismay as she walked out the door. She was halfway up our street, my wrists felt the cube burst into dozens of tinier cubes.  It created a paisley decor from the top step down to the front door. I'd had the cube for a few hours and now it was broken. 

 I am no genius but gathering the small pieces I gently reassembled them into the spring loaded holes in the center of the cube but did it according to color. It took a few minutes but I successfully placed the "finished" cube on bright display at the top of the stairs. 

My wife returned from church immediately seeing the result of my efforts. She was quite surprised, complimenting me on my skills. She had known from others how complicated it was to solve the cube. It wasn't long before I opened up about my accidental solution to the cube. She forgave me but probably regretted that since it meant I had not really "solved" the cube and that I would continue to twist and crank the sides.

That night in bed, I wanted to pursue my goal. Much to the dismay of her slumber. She knew I would not stop. She covered her head with a pillow and hoped I would tire of the exercise. 

 The repetitive clicks were not like counting sheep. It clearly bothered her while I twisted away. I was a kid with a new toy. 

It took me weeks to figure out. One night a month later it simply"popped" into place. I tried retracing my steps. I could not figure out what I had done. I messed up the sides and started over. I failed miserably. I found a small book on how to solve the cube. I studied it. I learned. I then knew the pattern I needed. 

The local shopping mall had a CUBE SOLVING competition. The fastest contestants were solving the cube in two or three minutes. I practiced, even considered entering. I was getting pretty good and once solved it in 4 minutes. Not good enough. The winner eventually solved the cube in 28 seconds. Impossible, I thought but then, through patience I too got better and once solved the cube in 45 seconds. I did it repeatedly around that time. I did not enter that contest. The cube gained a spot on my curiosity shelf in the den. 

Fast forward to this week. There is a world competition. I read the story and attach it here for your enjoyment. The world record is 3.47 seconds by a 12-year old boy. What is more significant is a girl who solved it in 4.27 seconds....she is SIX!  I give up. Oh to be a kid again.

SEE HOW IT'S DONE HERE