Ernő Rubik is born in Budapest, Hungary. He grows up to become an architect, designer and university professor.

Rubik creates the first working prototype of the cube. This is the official birth date of the world’s favourite toy.

Rubik patents the ‘Magic Cube’ and Hungarian toy-manufacturer Politechnika begins the difficult task of mass-production.

The first ‘Magic Cube’ is sold in a Budapest toyshop.

Ideal Toy Corporation begins exporting the cube from Hungary. The ‘Magic Cube’ is renamed the ‘Rubik’s Cube’.

A publication entitled ‘You Can Do the Cube’ was produced by Patrick Bossert, a 12-year-old schoolboy from England. The book goes on to sell 1.5 million copies.

The first annual International Rubik’s Championships are held in Budapest. More than 100 million cubes have now been sold and Rubik’s enters the Oxford English Dictionary.

Ernő Rubik becomes President of the Hungarian Engineering Academy. He later establishes the International Rubik Foundation to support talented young designers.

Diamond Cutters International creates the ‘Masterpiece Cube’ for Rubik’s 15^th birthday – a fully-functional, 185 carat Cube made of solid gold and encrusted with coloured jewels.

The cube celebrates its 25^th anniversary on 26 July. A special, limited edition Rubik’s Cube is produced to mark the occasion.

World Rubik's Cube Championships are held in Budapest from 5-7 October, marking the 25^th anniversary of the competition. Ernő Rubik was there to award the prizes in person.