# Painting Rubik (DD-442)

> The Rubik's Cube, invented by Ernő Rubik in 1974, has 54 colored facets on its six faces. Classic cubes used colored vinyl stickers, which can peel and fade, while many modern cubes use tiles or stickerless colored plastic that lasts longer. The footage shows cubes being colored on a production line.

- Department: Tech
- First published: 2024-12-29
- Last updated: 2024-12-29
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/painting-rubik/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## On the timeline

- **1974**: Ernő Rubik invents the cube

Full timeline: https://detailenjoyer.com/timeline/?case=painting-rubik

## Quick facts

- **DD-442-F01**: Ernő Rubik, 1974. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Inventor))_
- **DD-442-F02**: 54 squares. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Facets))_

## Write-up

Rubik's Cubes are usually colored with stickers or plastic tiles, not paint. Newer cubes often use colored plastic.

1. **Inventor**: Ernő Rubik, 1974.
2. **Facets**: 54 squares.
3. **Stickers**: Classic vinyl stickers.
4. **Modern**: Colored plastic.
5. **Faces**: Six colors.

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: None needed.

## Video: Painting Rubik: Rubik's Cubes Are Usually Colored With Stickers or Plastic Tiles, Not Paint

- Duration: 21.4 s · Published: 2024-12-29
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/DEJ32lyqoBz.mp4

### Transcript

Did you know? Rubik's cubes are not typically painted. Instead, their colored faces are created using stickers or plastic tiles. Early versions of the Rubik's Cube used adhesive vinyl stickers in six distinct colors, applied to each of the 54 square facets. These stickers could peel or fade over time, so modern Rubik's Cubes often feature colored plastic tiles that are more durable and integrated into the cube's design. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: Who invented it?**  
A: Hungarian. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Inventor) · Wikipedia: Rubik's Cube)_

**Q: When?**  
A: 1970s. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Facets) · Wikipedia: Rubik's Cube)_

**Q: How many facets?**  
A: 6 x 9. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Stickers) · Wikipedia: Rubik's Cube)_

**Q: Classic coloring?**  
A: Peel off. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Modern) · Wikipedia: Rubik's Cube)_

**Q: Modern cubes often use?**  
A: Stickerless. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Faces) · Wikipedia: Rubik's Cube)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Rubik's Cube](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubik%27s_Cube)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Painting Rubik." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-442, last updated Dec 29, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/painting-rubik/