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 helpedme to put this little history together and she has once again allowed me to use it for this USB. Iwas 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 aPyraminx than the history of it. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as we enjoyed putting ittogether for you.

(1) 30th. Anniversary USB

The logo you see on the USB was designed in 1981. It has been used on my products for manyyears; I've just never put it on the puzzles themselves. We have decided to add bags to these newpuzzles, and in doing so, the Meffert's M with the pyramid background seems the best logo touse.

It all started in 1970 with research into the healing power of pyramids. By trying to "prove" thatpyramids were not ideal in making contact points with pressure points in the hands. I discoveredmuch to my surprise that I was wrong. The Pyramid concentrates the energy and the Pyraminxcame out the winner! When you think about it though, it does make sense. The internal core ofthe Pyraminx is 108.47 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

Science. For instance: the structure of the Puzzles is exactly the same as the structure of a carbonhydrogen molecule. I have disassembled one of these Puzzles to show the relation to the carbonhydrogen molecule in detail. Carbon hydrogen molecules are the central building blocks of allliving material: One carbon atom in the center and four outer hydrogen atoms. The angles are allthe 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 ErnoRubik's cube gained overnight worldwide fame. If it were not for Erno's drive to create aworking cube, the world would have none of these wonderful puzzles. In reality, the anniversaryof 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 ToysAssociation. I showed him my balsa wood sample and he was immediately interested inproducing my puzzle.

He had the first 'real' prototype made at the staggering cost of $10,000. This one was made ofacrylic 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 themost highly sold toys Christmas of 1980 was the Tomy Pyraminx. By Christmas that year over10 million Pyraminxes had been Sold! The factory producing them had to duplicate the moldevery 21 days to keep up with demand!

Science. For instance: the structure of the Puzzles is exactly the same as the structure of a carbonhydrogen molecule. I have disassembled one of these Puzzles to show the relation to the carbonhydrogen molecule in detail. Carbon hydrogen molecules are the central building blocks of allliving material: One carbon atom in the center and four outer hydrogen atoms. The angles are allthe 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 ErnoRubik's cube gained overnight worldwide fame. If it were not for Erno's drive to create aworking cube, the world would have none of these wonderful puzzles. In reality, the anniversaryof 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 ToysAssociation. I showed him my balsa wood sample and he was immediately interested inproducing my puzzle.

He had the first 'real' prototype made at the staggering cost of $10,000. This one was made ofacrylic 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 themost highly sold toys Christmas of 1980 was the Tomy Pyraminx. By Christmas that year over10 million Pyraminxes had been Sold! The factory producing them had to duplicate the moldevery 21 days to keep up with demand!

Science. For instance: the structure of the Puzzles is exactly the same as the structure of a carbonhydrogen molecule. I have disassembled one of these Puzzles to show the relation to the carbonhydrogen molecule in detail. Carbon hydrogen molecules are the central building blocks of allliving material: One carbon atom in the center and four outer hydrogen atoms. The angles are allthe 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 ErnoRubik's cube gained overnight worldwide fame. If it were not for Erno's drive to create aworking cube, the world would have none of these wonderful puzzles. In reality, the anniversaryof 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 ToysAssociation. I showed him my balsa wood sample and he was immediately interested inproducing my puzzle.

He had the first 'real' prototype made at the staggering cost of $10,000. This one was made ofacrylic 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 themost highly sold toys Christmas of 1980 was the Tomy Pyraminx. By Christmas that year over10 million Pyraminxes had been Sold! The factory producing them had to duplicate the moldevery 21 days to keep up with demand!

Uwe Meffert, March 1981

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

Uwe Meffert, March 1981

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

Uwe Meffert, March 1981

I started producing Pyramix's of my own and under my own brand in late1981. The originalpackaging was a cube. Quite simply, it is much easier to stack a cube on store shelves than it is apyramid 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. The following aresome photographs of the different renditions of the Pyraminx. One of the most widelyrecognizable puzzles in the Meffert's line up is perhaps the florescent label Pyraminx. I beganmaking these in 1982 using labels from a German company. Over the years, this has proven tobe a best seller.

(5) Fluorescent Pyraminx

As the Rubik's cube became more popular, it went through many different sticker variations. MyPyraminx did the same. Shown here are three of the different sticker variations I have producedover the years.

(6) Wooden Pyraminx

As with every good product, to keep things interesting, changes were made. The following aresome photographs of the different renditions of the Pyraminx. One of the most widelyrecognizable puzzles in the Meffert's line up is perhaps the florescent label Pyraminx. I beganmaking these in 1982 using labels from a German company. Over the years, this has proven tobe a best seller.

(5) Fluorescent Pyraminx

As the Rubik's cube became more popular, it went through many different sticker variations. MyPyraminx did the same. Shown here are three of the different sticker variations I have producedover the years.

(6) Wooden Pyraminx

As with every good product, to keep things interesting, changes were made. The following aresome photographs of the different renditions of the Pyraminx. One of the most widelyrecognizable puzzles in the Meffert's line up is perhaps the florescent label Pyraminx. I beganmaking these in 1982 using labels from a German company. Over the years, this has proven tobe a best seller.

(5) Fluorescent Pyraminx

As the Rubik's cube became more popular, it went through many different sticker variations. MyPyraminx did the same. Shown here are three of the different sticker variations I have producedover the years.

(6) Wooden Pyraminx

(7) Leather Pyraminx

This one was produced for the German blind society in 1983 and 50k puzzles where donated. Inthe early 2000's I sold a number of these through my website. I have no plans to make any ofthese earlier versions again. Not for lack of demand, but rather because over the years, thesuppliers 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 mypuzzles was better than their version. In addition, I was able to produce the puzzles in HongKong at a much lower cost.

Another version of the Pyraminx is the Tetraminx. This puzzle has the tips removed, but otherthan that, it solves in exactly the same manner. I first made this one available in 1982.

Around the same time I began making keychain puzzles. The Pyraminx was sold in a smallerkeychain version as was the Pyramorphinx.

(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, thispuzzle was never produced, but I add it here as a tribute to the conceivable changes the Pyraminxhas 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

(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, thispuzzle was never produced, but I add it here as a tribute to the conceivable changes the Pyraminxhas 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

(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, thispuzzle was never produced, but I add it here as a tribute to the conceivable changes the Pyraminxhas 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 ofit. 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 1991. It was not until 2010 that I decided tosell 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 theinvention of the Verdez 7x7x7 a late comer but welcomed cube, Mr. Verdez Senior is a brilliantinventor and kind and sincere person..

(15) Master Pyramorphinx.

(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 Pyraminxesall fused into one! Vulcan the Roman God of Fire could not have done a better job.

(18) Vulcano by Timur Evbatyrov.

What does the future hold? The Professor Pyraminx, which was thought by many as impossibleto make commercially, has finally become a reality.

(19) Prof. Pyraminx (20) Master PyraminxDesigned by Timur Evbatyrov

(21) Jade Pyraminx with colour engravingsDesigned by Adam G. Cowan

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 havecreated in the 42 year since I first conceived the Pyraminx!

In 2011 the tradition of the Pyraminx continued with the newly produced pillowed line ofpuzzles 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 thecenter 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 developedfor 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 firstconceived the puzzle 42 years ago. I did not start selling it until after the Rubik's cube came out.2012 is the 42nd year since I first conceived the idea of the puzzle, but I've been selling it almostfor 32 years now.

This new puzzle is a beautiful variation of the original. I have used holographic film which has3M adhesive added to it, and all that is covered in a material called Oxygen. This is a type ofresin lens that is perfectly safe for even children to play with. One of the advantages of usingthis method is that the logos can be embedded in the plastic. This means the logos will nevercome off. As with all my puzzles in recent years, these are available in both black and white.

(24) 30TH Anniversary Pyraminx.

One of our newest builders, Timur Evbatyrov has been working with us on a new Pyraminxpuzzle for you. We are very pleased to announce the addition of the 3D Gear Pyraminx. It istruly a marvel to play with. it is a Pyraminx with geared elements. When you turn a corner, theadjacent edges move and rotate at the same time. After the edges shift by 120degree, you canturn another corner. The edge gears have 6 teeth, the corners have 9 teeth and the surface uponwhich 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 toimprove speed solving. Like all my old pyramids, this one has flat sides. The outwardappearance is no different, but the inside is where the changes are. Oscar Roth Andersen firstsuggested to me what changes to make after our meeting at the WCA Rubik's cube WorldChampionships 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 thePyraminx. I have added just a few here for your viewing pleasure. The Skewb has a 4 arm coresimilar to the Pyraminx. The Megaminx is 12. All are multiples of the original. The buildingblock of life further built upon...

(26) Skewb cube (27) MegaminxConceived by Tony Durham Conceived by Ben Halpern

(28) Platypus (39) Platypus Supreme

(30) Platypus Ultimate

Uwe Meffert, May 1995

(31) Polymorphinx (32) 3D Skewb-cubedesigned by Ulrich Meffert

Over the years we have had some amazing designers working with us. Some of their designs wehave produced are shown below.

(33) Original Master Cube designed by

This was manufactured for Ideal Toys by us in 1981.

(34) Original Prof. Cube Designed by Udo Krell

This was manufactured for Ideal Toys by us in 1983.

(35) Gear Shift by Oskar and Bram

(36) Venus Pillow designed by: Evgeniy

(37) New Improved 12 color Megaminx For Speed-cubingwith the help of Stefan Pochmann

Uwe Meffert January 2007

(38) Tony Fisher Golden cube

(39) Golden Egg

(40) Morph Egg (41) 4D8 with PET labels

(42) PyraDiamond (43) Bandage Cube

(44) Holey Megaminx

Uwe Meffert November 2009.

(45) FlowerMinx by David Litwin

(46) New Improved 12 color Pyraminx Crystal by Aleh

(47) Gear Cube designed by Oskar and Bram

(48) Hex face Skewb Hex by Tony Fisher

(49) Holey Skewb designed by Tony Fisher

(50) Rex Cube conceived by Andrew Cormier

(51) Skewb-cube Pillowed

(52) Holey Skewb-cube Pillowed

(53) Christoph Bandelow's Jewel

(54) Mosaic Cube designed by Oskar

(55) Curvy Copter designed by Tom Z

(56) 6 color Ball Cube (57) 9 color Ball–Sudoku-Cube anda color matching game

by Geert Hellings.

(58) OSKAR’S Treasure ChestShall we show all six photos with the different gemstones?

(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 plating

In future years, there will be many more beautiful renditions of the Pyraminx and offspring tolook forward to...

We have some amazing designers working with us now. There is a lot more to come fromMeffert's! We will never STOP!!!

Uwe Meffert, Shenzhen September 2011 Uwe Meffert, Shandong 3rd March 2012

Copyright © 1970 - 2012 Uwe Meffert - Mefferts.com. All rights reserved.