Bob Weisman Rubik’s Cube collection
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 116.5022
The Bob Weisman Rubik’s Cube collection contains materials relating to the Rubik’s Cube. These include catalogs, print proofs of artwork, contest poster, membership kits, puzzle solutions, photographs, demo kit information, envelopes, stamps, business cards, correspondence, newspaper and magazine clippings, contest rules, ads, fliers, promotional materials.
The Bob Weisman Rubik’s Cube collection has been arranged into four series. The collection is housed in two archival document boxes and one oversized folder.
The Bob Weisman Rubik’s Cube collection has been arranged into four series. The collection is housed in two archival document boxes and one oversized folder.
Dates
- 1908
- 1980 - 1984
- Majority of material found within 1980 - 1981
Creator
- Ideal Toy Corporation (Organization)
Language
The materials in this collection are in English.
Conditions Governing Use
This collection is open for research use by staff of The Strong and by users of its library and archives. Though the donor has not transferred intellectual property rights (including, but not limited to any copyright, trademark, and associated rights therein) to The Strong, he has given permission for The Strong to make copies in all media for museum, educational, and research purposes.
Extent
2.2 Linear Feet (2 boxes, 1 oversized folder)
Abstract
This collection contains materials relating to Rubik’s Cube from Bob Weisman, former Promotional Manager at Ideal Toy Corporation, during the height of the Rubik’s Cube craze. The bulk of the materials in this collection are from 1980 and 1981.
Biographical Note
Bob Weisman worked at Ideal Toy Corporation as the Promotional Planning Manager during the height of the Rubik’s Cube craze in the 1980s.
Weisman wrote and produced the first and second edition solutions for the Rubik’s Cube, first invented in 1974 by Hungarian professor of architecture, Ernõ Rubik. Weisman also wrote the first and only solution for the Missing Link puzzle (invented by Steven P. Hanson and Jeffrey D. Breslow in 1981), which found popularity in the years following the introduction of the Rubik’s Cube.
Weisman coordinated promotional materials and events including Ideal Toy Corporation catalogs, fliers, posters, tournament planning, and promotional kits, all of which added to the hype of the Rubik’s Cube, which still finds popularity well into the 21st century. (The Rubik’s Cube was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 2016.)
Weisman wrote and produced the first and second edition solutions for the Rubik’s Cube, first invented in 1974 by Hungarian professor of architecture, Ernõ Rubik. Weisman also wrote the first and only solution for the Missing Link puzzle (invented by Steven P. Hanson and Jeffrey D. Breslow in 1981), which found popularity in the years following the introduction of the Rubik’s Cube.
Weisman coordinated promotional materials and events including Ideal Toy Corporation catalogs, fliers, posters, tournament planning, and promotional kits, all of which added to the hype of the Rubik’s Cube, which still finds popularity well into the 21st century. (The Rubik’s Cube was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 2016.)
System of Arrangement
Series I: Promotional/marketing, 1908, 1980-1984
Series II: Correspondence, 1981
Series III: Product-related, 1980-1982
Series IV: Personal, c. 1981
Custodial History
The Bob Weisman Rubik’s Cube collection was donated to The Strong in September 2016 as a gift of Robert and Marilyn Weisman. The papers were accessioned by The Strong under Object ID 116.5022. The papers were received from Bob Weisman in one box, along with puzzle cubes and other objects housed in the museum’s collection.
Processed by
Nicole Pease, December 2017
Source
- Weisman, Robert ("Bob") (Person)
Creator
- Ideal Toy Corporation (Organization)
- Ideal Novelty Company (Organization)
- Title
- Finding Aid to the Bob Weisman Rubik’s Cube Collection, 1908, 1980-1984
- Status
- completed
- Author
- Nicole Pease and Julia Novakovic
- Date
- 6 February 2018
- Description rules
- dacs
Repository Details
Part of the Brian Sutton-Smith Library and Archives of Play at The Strong Repository
Contact:
The Strong
One Manhattan Square
Rochester NY 14607 USA
585.263.2700
585.423.1886 (Fax)
library@museumofplay.org
The Strong
One Manhattan Square
Rochester NY 14607 USA
585.263.2700
585.423.1886 (Fax)
library@museumofplay.org