Soma Cube


Rosewood Soma Cube

Invented by the Danish poet Piet Hein in 1936, the Soma Cube has been sometimes viewed as a three-dimensional version of the Tangram Puzzle. This comparison is because both types of puzzles are made up of seven pieces which can be used to construct numerous shapes. The Soma Cube differs however, in that it is made of 27 cubes which are glued into seven unique configurations.

Soma Cube taken apart

There are 6 shapes made of 4 cubes each, and 1 shape made of 3 cubes. For example: 4 cubes make an "L" shape, 4 cubes make a "T" shape, 4 cubes make a "Z" shape, and three other configurations are made of 4 cubes each. The 3 cube piece makes an "L" shape. When all seven pieces are assembled correctly, they form a 3x3 large cube. This Museum copy was purchased in 1971 and is made of 2.5cm rosewood blocks, with a rosewood base.

Plastic Soma Cube

The Soma pieces can be used to construct many different objects. Most versions include a booklet that pictures various objects which a user can attempt to duplicate, but must use the seven pieces to complete a construction. For example: a chair, stairs, a tower, etc. The photograph at the left is a plastic version produced by Parker Brothers that was donated to the Museum in 1981. Each cube is 3cm.

Double Soma Cube

A friend of the Museum constructed this Double Soma Puzzle in 1970. Each of the 54.5cm blocks are glued into the same seven Soma shapes, except in this instance there are two of each shape, resulting in 14 pieces - and thus making it possible to construct a column and many more objects.





NOTE: This page was originally created and posted on the Web on October 6, 1997. Subsequently it has been modified and periodically updated. Last update April 11, 2010