Jan 12, 2009
A man has matched up the bricks of his Rubik's Cube — 26 years after purchasing it.
Graham Parker suffers wrist and back injuries from his decades of twisting the cult toy and admits to weeping when he finally matched everything up, the UK's Metro reports.
"It felt like it had taken over my life," he was quoted by the newspaper as saying.
"I have missed important events to stay in and solve it, and would lie awake at night thinking about it."
His wife Jean says Graham was already obsessed when they met and the toy was like a third person in their marriage.
"I have often thought about getting rid of it but I knew he would not rest until he had solved it," she said.
A spokesman for the World Cube Association said it was "definitely the longest it has taken" to finish the cube.
By comparison, Dutchman Erik Akkersdijk holds the world record for solving the puzzle in 7.08 seconds.
The Cube was invented in 1974 by Hungarian sculptor Erno Rubik and has sold 300 million worldwide.
The game is so popular, it has even triggered the formation of Cubaholics — a support group for those obsessed with the game.
Man solves Rubik's Cube after 26 years
A man has matched up the bricks of his Rubik's Cube — 26 years after purchasing it.
Graham Parker suffers wrist and back injuries from his decades of twisting the cult toy and admits to weeping when he finally matched everything up, the UK's Metro reports.
"It felt like it had taken over my life," he was quoted by the newspaper as saying.
"I have missed important events to stay in and solve it, and would lie awake at night thinking about it."
His wife Jean says Graham was already obsessed when they met and the toy was like a third person in their marriage.
"I have often thought about getting rid of it but I knew he would not rest until he had solved it," she said.
A spokesman for the World Cube Association said it was "definitely the longest it has taken" to finish the cube.
By comparison, Dutchman Erik Akkersdijk holds the world record for solving the puzzle in 7.08 seconds.
The Cube was invented in 1974 by Hungarian sculptor Erno Rubik and has sold 300 million worldwide.
The game is so popular, it has even triggered the formation of Cubaholics — a support group for those obsessed with the game.
Man solves Rubik's Cube after 26 years
How can you stand doing that for 26 years? I'd go crazy and throw the thing away!
I don't think I will ever have enough patience to solve such a puzzle... 
