# How the 2x2x2 Magnetic Puzzle Cube Works

> A 1970 patent for a 2x2x2 puzzle cube held together by magnets that allows groups of pieces to rotate around three axes to solve a color-matching challenge.

- **Patent:** US 3655201
- **Original title:** Pattern forming puzzle and method with pieces rotatable in groups
- **Owner:** Moleculon Research Corp
- **Granted:** 1972
- **Status:** Public domain (expired)
- **Times cited:** 75
- **Field:** mechanical, consumer_electronics

## What it does

The patent describes a puzzle made of eight cube-shaped pieces that form a larger composite cube. Each piece has magnets on its hidden faces to keep the structure together while allowing specific groups of four cubes to rotate around three perpendicular axes. By rotating these groups, a user can scramble the colors on the outer faces and then attempt to restore the original pattern. The mechanism relies on the ability to move sets of four pieces independently without the entire cube falling apart.

## What it does NOT cover

- Does not cover 3x3x3 puzzle cubes (like the Rubik's Cube) which use a central internal mechanism rather than magnets on cube faces.
- Does not cover puzzles that use mechanical interlocking tracks or internal stems instead of magnetic attraction to hold pieces together.
- Does not cover non-cube geometries that do not allow for the rotation of sets of four pieces around three perpendicular axes.

## The clever bit

The innovation lies in using magnetic attraction on the internal, non-exposed faces of the cubes to maintain structural integrity while simultaneously acting as a low-friction bearing surface for rotation.

## Real-world examples

1. Magnetic 2x2x2 puzzle cubes
2. Early prototypes of group-rotation puzzles

## Why it matters

This patent predates the famous 3x3x3 Rubik's Cube and represents an early exploration of the group-rotation puzzle concept. It highlights the transition from simple static toys to complex mechanical puzzles that require spatial reasoning and algorithmic thinking to solve.

## Frequently asked questions

### What does How the 2x2x2 Magnetic Puzzle Cube Works cover?

A 1970 patent for a 2x2x2 puzzle cube held together by magnets that allows groups of pieces to rotate around three axes to solve a color-matching challenge.

### Who owns patent US 3655201?

Moleculon Research Corp owns this patent, granted in 1972.

### When does this patent expire?

This patent has expired and is now in the public domain — anyone can use the invention freely.

### What is patent US 3655201 cited by?

This patent has been cited by 75 later patents that build on its ideas.

### What problem does this patent solve?

This patent predates the famous 3x3x3 Rubik's Cube and represents an early exploration of the group-rotation puzzle concept. It highlights the transition from simple static toys to complex mechanical puzzles that require spatial reasoning and algorithmic thinking to solve.

### What does this patent NOT cover?

Does not cover 3x3x3 puzzle cubes (like the Rubik's Cube) which use a central internal mechanism rather than magnets on cube faces.

**Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3655201/rotating-cube-puzzle

**Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US3655201

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_Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._


## Related patents

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- [How TinkerToy's Original Wooden Construction Blocks Work](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1113371/tinkertoy-pajeau) — A 1914 patent for a modular toy system using wooden sticks and circular hubs with holes to build complex three-dimensional structures.
- [How A.C. Gilbert Designed Early Interlocking Toy Construction Blocks](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1066809/erector-set-gilbert) — A 1913 patent by A.C. Gilbert for a system of toy building blocks designed to snap together to create structures.
- [How the Game Twister Works](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3454279/twister-game) — A 1966 patent for a floor-based game where players use their own bodies as game pieces on a mat with colored circles.
- [How the Modern LEGO Brick Design Works](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3005282/lego-toy-brick) — The 1958 patent that defined the iconic LEGO brick with hollow tubes inside, allowing bricks to lock together firmly.
- [How the Nintendo D-Pad Works](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4687200/nintendo-d-pad-directional) — A mechanical switch design that allows a user to control directional movement in video games using a single, tilting thumb-operated button.