This puzzle has many moving parts, thus allowing a huge number of possible permutations. Focusing on solving the 3x3 center pieces and 3x1 edge pieces first - thus 'reducing' the problem to a 3x3x3 puzzle, which can be solved using a regular Rubik's cube solving algorithms. Similarly to the Rubik's Revenge Cube (4x4x4), the most common approach for solving this 5x5x5 cube is called the 'reduction' method. Aside from these pieces, there are 48 additional center pieces that are free to move around the puzzle, 8 corner pieces, and 36 edge pieces. It is interesting to note that even though this puzzle was not invented by the Rubik's Brand, the name by which it's known today, 'Professor's Cube', was coined by Ideal Toys (former owner of the Rubik's Brand) when this puzzle was marketed in the 1980s.Īs with all odd-order variations of the Rubik's Cube, the centermost piece on each face is fixed to the mechanism of the cube. The Rubik's Brand (currently owned by Spin Master) only added this puzzle to their lineup later, in 1986. Starting in 1983, Krell's design for this puzzle was manufactured and sold by Uwe Mèffert. The first version of this puzzle was invented in 1981 by Udo Krell, who took a regular 3x3x3 Rubik's Cube and expanded its mechanism. The Rubik's Professor's Cube is a 5x5x5 variation of the original Rubik's Cube.
