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Rubik Cube Publications

Identity area

Reference code

DS/1

Publication status

Published

Level of description

Series

Extent and medium

4 pamphlets, 4 newsletters

Date(s)

  • 1980-1982 (Creation)

Context area

Name of creator

Singmaster; David (1939-); Dr; metagrobologist
(1939-)

Biographical history

David Breyer Singmaster (b.1939) was a Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at London South Bank University. A self-described metagrobologist, Singmaster became famous for his solution to the Rubik's cube, known as the "Singmaster notation" and his large personal collection of mechanical puzzles and books of brainteasers.

Repository

London South Bank University Archives Centre

Content and structure area

Scope and content

The most popular method for solving the Rubik Cube was developed by David Singmaster and published in the book Notes on Rubik's "Magic Cube" in 1981. This solution involves solving the Cube layer by layer, in which one layer (designated the top) is solved first, followed by the middle layer, and then the final and bottom layer. After practice, solving the Cube layer by layer can be done in under one minute. Other general solutions include "corners first" methods or combinations of several other methods. In 1982, David Singmaster and Alexander Frey hypothesised that the number of moves needed to solve the Rubik's Cube, given an ideal algorithm, might be in "the low twenties". Written by David Singmaster whilst working in the School of Computing, Information Systems and Mathematics at South Bank University.

Conditions of access and use area

Language of material

  • English
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Holdings

↑ Up one level

Search the Archive

 

Rubik Cube Publications

Identity area

Reference code

DS/1

Publication status

Published

Level of description

Series

Extent and medium

4 pamphlets, 4 newsletters

Date(s)

  • 1980-1982 (Creation)

Context area

Name of creator

Singmaster; David (1939-); Dr; metagrobologist
(1939-)

Biographical history

David Breyer Singmaster (b.1939) was a Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at London South Bank University. A self-described metagrobologist, Singmaster became famous for his solution to the Rubik's cube, known as the "Singmaster notation" and his large personal collection of mechanical puzzles and books of brainteasers.

Repository

London South Bank University Archives Centre

Content and structure area

Scope and content

The most popular method for solving the Rubik Cube was developed by David Singmaster and published in the book Notes on Rubik's "Magic Cube" in 1981. This solution involves solving the Cube layer by layer, in which one layer (designated the top) is solved first, followed by the middle layer, and then the final and bottom layer. After practice, solving the Cube layer by layer can be done in under one minute. Other general solutions include "corners first" methods or combinations of several other methods. In 1982, David Singmaster and Alexander Frey hypothesised that the number of moves needed to solve the Rubik's Cube, given an ideal algorithm, might be in "the low twenties". Written by David Singmaster whilst working in the School of Computing, Information Systems and Mathematics at South Bank University.

Conditions of access and use area

Language of material

  • English
← Back to results

Holdings

↑ Up one level