This manipulative puzzle was donated to the Museum in 1995. It was made in Denmark and designed by Piet Hein. It is a transparent plastic cubic box with each side measuring 7.5cm. Inside the cube are 7 rosewood cubes, each measuring approximately 3.5cm. Embedded on three meeting sides of each rosewood cube is a metallic circle measuring approximately 2.5cm. The other three sides are plain wood faces.
Within the box is a booklet of instructions in English, Danish, Dutch, French, German, and Italian. By manually manipulating the transparent cube, the rosewood cubes within it move, since there is one empty space. The intent of the puzzle is to move the rosewood cubes so they form one of the patterns as pictured in the instruction booklet. For example: all of the metal surfaces showing except three inner sides formed by the rosewood configuration.
NOTE: This page was originally created and posted on the Web on June 21, 1995. Subsequently it has been modified and periodically updated. Last update April 7, 2010