The Long History of Pyraminx and its offspring's

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Daniel Randall
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Uwe Meffert November 1970 The Long History of Pyraminx and its offspring's Welcome to my little background on the Meffert's Pyraminx.

I was trying to think of something I could give back to the puzzle community after so many years, and decided upon extending the story that Roxanne started.

1 Uwe Meffert November 1970 The Long History of Pyraminx and its offspring's Welcome to my little background on the Meffert's Pyraminx. Last year Roxanne Wong helped me to put this little history together and she has once again allowed me to use it for this USB. I was trying to think of something I could give back to the puzzle community after so many years, and decided upon extending the story that Roxanne started. What better gift to give out with a Pyraminx than the history of it. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as we enjoyed putting it together for you. (1) 30th. Anniversary USB The logo you see on the USB was designed in It has been used on my products for many years; I've just never put it on the puzzles themselves. We have decided to add bags to these new puzzles, and in doing so, the Meffert's M with the pyramid background seems the best logo to use. It all started in 1970 with research into the healing power of pyramids. By trying to "prove" that pyramids were not ideal in making contact points with pressure points in the hands. I discovered much to my surprise that I was wrong. The Pyramid concentrates the energy and the Pyraminx came out the winner! When you think about it though, it does make sense. The internal core of the Pyraminx is degrees 3d from the 4 tips. According to the late Dr. Christoph Bandelow, there are many striking analogies between Meffert's Puzzles and some fundamental principles in

2 Science. For instance: the structure of the Puzzles is exactly the same as the structure of a carbon hydrogen molecule. I have disassembled one of these Puzzles to show the relation to the carbon hydrogen molecule in detail. Carbon hydrogen molecules are the central building blocks of all living material: One carbon atom in the center and four outer hydrogen atoms. The angles are all the same. There is no right angle (90 deg.), but the angles are all the same. My balsa wood pyramids were regulated to the 'workshop junk drawer' until 1980 when Erno Rubik's cube gained overnight worldwide fame. If it were not for Erno's drive to create a working cube, the world would have none of these wonderful puzzles. In reality, the anniversary of the Pyraminx would never have happened if it were not for his invention. My friends booked me on a flight to Hong Kong as that was where all the toys were being made. When I got there, I met with Mr. Dennis Ting, the then chairman of the Hong Kong Toys Association. I showed him my balsa wood sample and he was immediately interested in producing my puzzle. He had the first 'real' prototype made at the staggering cost of $10,000. This one was made of acrylic and still works today. Acrylic Pyraminx This original puzzle started a small puzzle company that is still in business today. Over the years, the Pyraminx has gone through a number of different renditions. One of the most highly sold toys Christmas of 1980 was the Tomy Pyraminx. By Christmas that year over 10 million Pyraminxes had been Sold! The factory producing them had to duplicate the mold every 21 days to keep up with demand!

3 Uwe Meffert, March 1981 I started producing Pyramix's of my own and under my own brand in late1981. The original packaging was a cube. Quite simply, it is much easier to stack a cube on store shelves than it is a pyramid shape. When I sold it under the Meffert's brand, it had a pyramid shaped box.

As with every good product, to keep things interesting, changes were made.

One of the most widely recognizable puzzles in the Meffert's line up is perhaps the florescent label

Over the years, this has proven to be a best seller.

4 As with every good product, to keep things interesting, changes were made. The following are some photographs of the different renditions of the Pyraminx. One of the most widely recognizable puzzles in the Meffert's line up is perhaps the florescent label Pyraminx. I began making these in 1982 using labels from a German company. Over the years, this has proven to be a best seller. (5) Fluorescent Pyraminx As the Rubik's cube became more popular, it went through many different sticker variations. My Pyraminx did the same. Shown here are three of the different sticker variations I have produced over the years. (6) Wooden Pyraminx

(7) Leather Pyraminx This one was produced for the German blind society in 1983 and 50k puzzles where donated. In the early 2000's I sold a number of these through my website.

(8) Pyraminx for the Blind Tomy wanted me to take over the production of their ¾ size Pyraminx because the quality of my puzzles was better than their version.

5 (7) Leather Pyraminx This one was produced for the German blind society in 1983 and 50k puzzles where donated. In the early 2000's I sold a number of these through my website. I have no plans to make any of these earlier versions again. Not for lack of demand, but rather because over the years, the suppliers of the sticker material have gone out of business. (8) Pyraminx for the Blind Tomy wanted me to take over the production of their ¾ size Pyraminx because the quality of my puzzles was better than their version. In addition, I was able to produce the puzzles in Hong Kong at a much lower cost. Another version of the Pyraminx is the Tetraminx. This puzzle has the tips removed, but other than that, it solves in exactly the same manner. I first made this one available in Around the same time I began making keychain puzzles. The Pyraminx was sold in a smaller keychain version as was the Pyramorphinx.

(9) Tetraminx In the 1990's I gave new life to my puzzles

(10) Tiled Pyraminx In my 1982 catalogue, I showed a photo

For many different reasons, this puzzle was never

conceivable changes the Pyraminx has gone through, and

6 (9) Tetraminx In the 1990's I gave new life to my puzzles and began producing them with tiles. (10) Tiled Pyraminx In my 1982 catalogue, I showed a photo of a Pyraminx Star. For many different reasons, this puzzle was never produced, but I add it here as a tribute to the conceivable changes the Pyraminx has gone through, and could yet go through. (11) Pyraminx Star I began producing the Pyramorphinx in 1984 it was then call the Junior Pyraminx. (12) Junior Pyraminx

Many people who build puzzles have taken the Pyramorphinx and created another puzzle out of it.

(13) Pyramorphinx Star Tony Fisher first made the Master Pyramorphinx in 1991.

(14) Tony Fisher's Master cube By this time the pillowed puzzle craze had really hit which was

7 Many people who build puzzles have taken the Pyramorphinx and created another puzzle out of it. In 2009 I offered these up for those who didn't want to create their own. (13) Pyramorphinx Star Tony Fisher first made the Master Pyramorphinx in It was not until 2010 that I decided to sell this version of the Pyraminx. (14) Tony Fisher's Master cube By this time the pillowed puzzle craze had really hit which was further helped along by the invention of the Verdez 7x7x7 a late comer but welcomed cube, Mr. Verdez Senior is a brilliant inventor and kind and sincere person.. (15) Master Pyramorphinx.

And the story doesn't end there. In November of 2010, I introduced the Vulcano.

8 (16) Pillow Pyraminx (17) Jing's Pyraminx In 2009 I was pleased to announce the Jing's Pyraminx. A tribute to my lovely wife Jing Meffert. And the story doesn't end there. In November of 2010, I introduced the Vulcano. 4 Pyraminxes all fused into one! Vulcan the Roman God of Fire could not have done a better job.

9 (18) Vulcano by Timur Evbatyrov. What does the future hold? The Professor Pyraminx, which was thought by many as impossible to make commercially, has finally become a reality. (19) Prof. Pyraminx (20) Master Pyraminx Designed by Timur Evbatyrov (21) Jade Pyraminx with colour engravings Designed by Adam G. Cowan

In 2011 the tradition of the Pyraminx continued with the newly produced pillowed line of puzzles from Meffert's.

10 The Jade Pyraminx with sculptured faces depicting the 4 elements, Earth, Wind, Water and Fire. Is one of the most beautiful and at the same time most difficult to make Pyraminx that I have created in the 42 year since I first conceived the Pyraminx! In 2011 the tradition of the Pyraminx continued with the newly produced pillowed line of puzzles from Meffert's. We started out by producing the Imperial Jade Pyraminx show above, and as the demand was high, we also produced it in a simpler version without the painted effects. (22) Imperial white Jade Pyraminx (23) Imperial white Jade cube After this came the pillowed Pyraminx. This puzzle has an improved mechanism even so the center core is exactly the same as the original Pyraminx and then there is the new pillow shape. It is now more rounded and feels wonderful in the hand when turning. This one was developed for me by the duo of Adam G. Cowan and Timur Evbatyrov. The newest puzzle in the Meffert's line up is the 30th anniversary puzzle. Even though I first conceived the puzzle 42 years ago. I did not start selling it until after the Rubik's cube came out is the 42nd year since I first conceived the idea of the puzzle, but I've been selling it almost for 32 years now. This new puzzle is a beautiful variation of the original. I have used holographic film which has 3M adhesive added to it, and all that is covered in a material called Oxygen. This is a type of resin lens that is perfectly safe for even children to play with. One of the advantages of using this method is that the logos can be embedded in the plastic. This means the logos will never come off. As with all my puzzles in recent years, these are available in both black and white.

11 (24) 30TH Anniversary Pyraminx.

One of our newest builders, Timur Evbatyrov has been working with us on a new Pyraminx puzzle for you. We are very pleased to announce the addition of the 3D Gear Pyraminx.

After the edges shift by 120degree, you can turn another corner. The edge gears have 6 teeth, the corners have 9 teeth and the surface upon which the edges are rolling, has 15 teeth.

The intent is to improve speed solving. Like all my old pyramids, this one has flat sides. The outward appearance is no different, but the inside is where the changes are.

12 One of our newest builders, Timur Evbatyrov has been working with us on a new Pyraminx puzzle for you. We are very pleased to announce the addition of the 3D Gear Pyraminx. It is truly a marvel to play with. it is a Pyraminx with geared elements. When you turn a corner, the adjacent edges move and rotate at the same time. After the edges shift by 120degree, you can turn another corner. The edge gears have 6 teeth, the corners have 9 teeth and the surface upon which the edges are rolling, has 15 teeth. (25) Pyraminx 3D Gear Another puzzle we will be releasing in the near future is our version of a speed solving pyramid. It was designed with the same internal mechanism as the Pyraminx Pillow. The intent is to improve speed solving. Like all my old pyramids, this one has flat sides. The outward appearance is no different, but the inside is where the changes are. Oscar Roth Andersen first suggested to me what changes to make after our meeting at the WCA Rubik's cube World Championships and those where confirmed by other world record holders. Over the years, Meffert's has produced many other puzzles based on the same core as the Pyraminx. I have added just a few here for your viewing pleasure. The Skewb has a 4 arm core similar to the Pyraminx. The Megaminx is 12. All are multiples of the original. The building block of life further built upon...

13 (26) Skewb cube Conceived by Tony Durham (28) Platypus (27) Megaminx Conceived by Ben Halpern (39) Platypus Supreme

14 (30) Platypus Ultimate Uwe Meffert, May 1995 (31) Polymorphinx designed by Ulrich Meffert (32) 3D Skewb-cube Over the years we have had some amazing designers working with us. Some of their designs we have produced are shown below.

15 (33) Original Master Cube designed by This was manufactured for Ideal Toys by us in (34) Original Prof. Cube Designed by Udo Krell This was manufactured for Ideal Toys by us in 1983.

16 (35) Gear Shift by Oskar and Bram (36) Venus Pillow designed by: Evgeniy

17 (37) New Improved 12 color Megaminx For Speed-cubing with the help of Stefan Pochmann Uwe Meffert January 2007

18 (38) Tony Fisher Golden cube (39) Golden Egg

19 (40) Morph Egg (41) 4D8 with PET labels (42) PyraDiamond (43) Bandage Cube (44) Holey Megaminx

20 Uwe Meffert November (45) FlowerMinx by David Litwin (46) New Improved 12 color Pyraminx Crystal by Aleh

21 (47) Gear Cube designed by Oskar and Bram (48) Hex face Skewb Hex by Tony Fisher

22 (49) Holey Skewb designed by Tony Fisher (50) Rex Cube conceived by Andrew Cormier (51) Skewb-cube Pillowed

23 (52) Holey Skewb-cube Pillowed (53) Christoph Bandelow's Jewel (54) Mosaic Cube designed by Oskar

24 (55) Curvy Copter designed by Tom Z (56) 6 color Ball Cube (57) 9 color Ball Sudoku-Cube and a color matching game by Geert Hellings. (58) OSKAR S Treasure Chest Shall we show all six photos with the different gemstones?

25 (59) Golden Chopsticks, with 5 micron of 98% gold plating (60) Imperial Jade White Chopsticks, by Oskar and Ola (61) The Rainbow Nautilus designed by Tim.

(62) The Golden Nautilus with 5 micron of 98% gold

beautiful renditions of the Pyraminx and offspring to

.. We have some amazing designers working with us now.

26 (62) The Golden Nautilus with 5 micron of 98% gold plating In future years, there will be many more beautiful renditions of the Pyraminx and offspring to look forward to... We have some amazing designers working with us now. There is a lot more to come from Meffert's! We will never STOP!!! Uwe Meffert, Shenzhen September 2011 Uwe Meffert, Shandong 3rd March 2012 Copyright Uwe Meffert - Mefferts.com. All rights reserved.

2018 CATALOGUE. Unique Puzzling Gifts

2018 CATALOGUE. Unique Puzzling Gifts 2018 CATALOGUE Unique Puzzling Gifts As we celebrate our 1st anniversary in the UK, we would like to extend our thanks to all the retailers who joined us in 2017 and made our UK launch such a success.