The Rubik’s Cube, one of the most iconic symbols of 80s culture, has now taken on a new form – that of a pre-solved coffee mug.
Many of us have fond memories of our first Rubik’s cube. Mostly, these memories involve frustration at being unable to solve anything more than the first face of the cube – or better yet, swapping the stickers around so that the cube appears to be completed. Back then, we didn’t have Google to give us step-by-step illustrated instructions on how to solve the darned thing.
Perhaps that’s why the Rubik’s Cube has been such a permanent fixture in our culture – it’s an icon for the frustrations of the past, and also one of intelligence. Even today, not many people have learned to solve a Rubik’s Cube, even though solutions are widely available, so it remains a symbol of old-school nerdiness.
Whatever the reason, this mug bypasses the frustrating nature of the original cube by turning it into a mug that you can drink your morning coffee or tea out of, while reminiscing about your Internet-free childhood. Maybe it’ll even inspire you to pick up a Rubik’s Cube of your own and have another crack at solving it. At any rate, you can buy it here for£8.99.
While the most popular modification to the original Rubik’s Cube design is generally just a colour swap, there are quite a few interesting products that put a new spin on the cube. For example, this movable type Rubik’s Cube prints out a traditional Chinese poem when properly solved, while also functioning as a regular cube. The Rubik’s Cube bank is also functional, but holds your hard-earned pennies inside of it. Finally, if you’re sick of anything that needs solving, spinning, or twisting, you can eat your frustrations away with a Rubik’s Cube cake.
