Rubik's Cube of the Future
NeoCube is the original neodymium magnet toy. It was originally created, somewhat by accident, by 25-year-old Chris Reda in 2008. He kept losing track of his pens in the Honda dealership he worked for, and oddly enough decided that magnets were the best fix to secure them to himself. "I ordered some of these magnetic balls to fit into the pen, but when I started playing with them, I was hooked."
The funny thing is, he couldn't stop fooling around with all the ball magnets, and ended up combining 216 of them to form a perfect cube. NeoCube was born, and has become an absolute hit on YouTube. Chris gives much of the success of NeoCube to his video on YouTube and the power of the internet.
This particular type of magnet has been around for a while, but until 2008 they'd never been marketed as toys. There are many companies that have followed the NeoCube, including Buckyballs, Nanodots, Desk Dots, and Zen Magnets. However, there's only one original, and it's great to support young entrepreneurs.
Neodymium magnets are the strongest permanent magnet made, and are also the most widely-used rare-earth magnets. They're formed from an alloy of neodymium, iron, and boron.
They were developed by GM (General Motors) in 1982 and have since been used for hard disk drives, motors, MRIs, magnetic bearings, headphones, speakers, and guitar pickups to name a few.
Now we can add toys to that list! And these aren't just toys for your kids or grand kids, either! They're entertaining for grandma, mom, dad, yourself, and Uncle Billy, too.
NeoCube is a totally original toy composed of magnetic balls which can be pulled, shaped, snapped, and molded together in unlimited ways. NeoCube as an original gift doesn't cost too much and can be enjoyable for a long time.
— NeoMagnet.orgVideo: Universe in Your Palm
The magnets jump together to form intricate patterns and geometric forms. They act like Legos, giving you the building blocks to create almost any shape you can imagine.
— NeoCube History
Benefits And Uses Of The NeoCube:
- Therapeutic
- Educational
- Stress relief
- Creative outlet
- Critical thinking
- Logic development
- Billions of solutions
- Learn about geometric shapes
- Dual hemisphere brain stimulation
- Learn about interconnectedness of shapes
Video: The NeoCube Hexed
People just love the NeoCube because it has that addictive quality like the Rubik's Cube or bubble wrap. Each magnet can be separated from the rest, but it will jump back into its place as soon as you let it.
— Chris RedaAmazing Geometric Designs
Click thumbnail to view full-size
Christopher says he keeps his NeoCube in his pocket and uses it to help him think, or just pass the time. He says it is a good left brain, right brain exercise where you use your logic and your creativity at the same time.
— Chris Reda interview by Matt O'Donnell
NeoCube Sizes and Pricing
The Neo Mini
| 27 Spheres
| $12.95
|
|---|---|---|
NeoCube Alpha
| 224 Spheres
| $24.95
|
NeoCube G
| 224 Gold-plated Spheres
| $44.95
|
CubeTastic
| 251 Spheres
| $28.95
|
Four (4) CubeTastics
| 251 (x4) Spheres
| $109.95
|
NeoCube Omega
| 1,027 Spheres
| $89.95
|
Two (2) NeoCube Omegas
| 1,027 (x2) Spheres
| $159.95
|
NeoCube Warnings
- Only for ages 14+
Do not eat magnets.
Do not burn magnets.
Contains small magnetic parts that, if swallowed, may require surgery to remove. Magnets are so strong they can cause ruptures in organs, crimp organs, and even result in death.
Since 2005, rare-earth magnets have been linked to one death and 86 injuries.
Care should be taken around pets and young children.
Strong magnets will erase hard disk drives. Keep away from hard drives, computers, phones, credit cards, ATM cards, etc.
© 2011 Kate P
Comments
Wow, I may consider getting one when the budget allows. So do these magnets naturally form hexagonal shapes?
Magnets are so damn cool, it's a shame the government it trying to make these toys illegal. They are like 100 times less dangerous than a balloon.
Looks fun, thanks for the info
- AUTHOR
The warnings are a little scary, but the power of these magnets is what makes them so attractive as well.
Thanks Nellieanna and Derdriu (as always) for your great comments. Much appreciated!
How fascinating! The warnings are a bit frightening, however. Erasing hard drives and crimping internal organs give me pause. But magnetism is something of strong interest, literally! Thank you for this information!
Faceless39: What a helpful, practical, useful introduction to the NeoCube! You do a great job of alternating clear explanations with pretty pictures, especially of the one which makes such an attractive bracelet. In addition, I like the view into inventor Chris Reda's personality through the background, the interview excerpt and the quotes.
Thank you for sharing, etc.,
Derdriu
- AUTHOR
Thanks so much for all your comments, and for sharing. And yes I have some idea about cloud computing, but had not heard of CloudExplorer. Thank you! :)
Very cool. That could keep me entertained for hours!
I learned about Neocube on youtube a few months back and added it to my "CloudExplorer" collection on "Pearltrees", I'm sure you have no clue what those two titles are in quotes there, but it's a newer way to share content you love on some truly powerful networks. I will add this hub of yours to my sharing collection as well so loads of other people can find use of it.
I'm glad to see that there's people on hubpages that will be willing to go the extra length in terms of subject technical matter such as Neocube's & magnetism.
Voted up for interesting & awesome as well in its elegant display of visual content, thanks for sharing.
Interesting article! I didn't know anything about the NeoCube, and it's always great to learn about new and interesting things to stuff stockings with on the holidays.
A very well written hub about a very exciting development in the world of puzzles. Thank you.
11