Rubik’s Cube celebrates 40 years of European ingenuity

The inventor of the most famous cube in the world, Professor Ernő Rubik, has met European Commission President José Manuel Barroso to celebrate the game’s 40th anniversary.

Barroso said: “Today we are celebrating the 40th birthday of a timeless toy that has become an iconic symbol of European ingenuity worldwide. The Rubik’s Cube is the ultimate metaphor for bewildering complexity and triumphant intelligence, creativity and innovation. At a time when we need to mobilise all our capacities in innovation, research and development and promote more than ever our skills in science and engineering, the Rubik’s Cube is an encouragement and a reminder to all Europeans that we have the talents and skills boost the European economy and build sustainable growth and jobs.”

Barroso and Rubik discussed the importance of outreach and education in order to attract young people to careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Rubik added: “I am delighted to see the European Commission’s commitment to support innovation, creativity and scientific research by inspiring children and youth, fostering their curiosity and encouraging them to discover their own solutions. I am convinced that science outreach programmes and innovative learning platforms are the most important tools for building a more competitive Europe as well as fostering equality of opportunity in the European community.”

The EU has pledged to support member states to combat unemployment through the European Social Fund, the EURES jobs mobility portal, the Youth Guarantee and programmes like Horizon 2020 or Erasmus+.