I have chosen a Rubik’s Cube.

It seems to be a small, solid, plastic cube made up of smaller,

individual cubes. Each face of the cube is colored differently, with one of the sides having a
center with a logo of some sort. The cube is split up into layers, sides, and faces, that rotate
independently from each other. Pulling some of the layers apart reveals a core that the pieces
seem to rotate about, yet all the pieces are bound together. Rotating the layers in different ways
yields different patterns that colors can be oriented. The sides on the inside of the cube are
colored black, implying that that side is not intended to be exposed. However, the black inside is
covered with a slippery, liquid substance that appears to help the cube rotate faster and smoother.
After rotating a layer, the spot where it lands seems to snap in place, which could possibly mean
that this cube is modified with a magnet system inside the cube to help the cube maintain its
form. After playing with it for a while, it is satisfying to rotate the pieces around and to try to get
all the colors to return to their original spots. Judging by its simplistic shape, colorful design, and
its rather simple mechanics, I can probably say that this object is intended for entertainment. It
could be some sort of puzzle, toy, or even a key to something.

After dissecting the cube even more, I managed to remove the center piece caps. This reveals a
small knob with a spring inside that can be rotated to three different positions; 0.6, 0.8, and off.
After doing some research, the numbers on the knob correspond to how much the spring is
compressed; a higher number meaning less compression, and therefore a looser feel when
rotating the cube. This small knob seems to be interchangeable, meaning that there could be
different springs with different compression settings, which could be used for customization
purposes. The third setting, off, allows the knob to come completely off the axle, which allows
the pieces of that layer to detach from the whole cube as well. After taking off all the pieces, it is
revealed that there is a small plastic core that all the pieces seem to rotate about. After removing
it, it seems to be a simple core that has axles sticking out in six directions, almost akin to a
spider. It also seems to be coated in the same slippery lube that the pieces are coated with. As for
the pieces, they are not cubes, but rather individual pieces and there are 3 distinct parts to each
piece; there is the side that shows the sides that touch each other, and the core bit that helps the
pieces stay together. The side that shows are each distinct colors, meant for aligning together to
solve the puzzle. The sides that touch each other have a distinct hexagonal pattern to them, meant
to help keep the lube that covers them intact. Finally, the core bit, interlock with other core bits,
which helps the pieces stay together, but also allow the pieces to rotate and slide past each other.
When put together, the core bits seem to form a spherical shape. Additionally, corner pieces and
middle or side pieces are distinctly different. Corner pieces, which are pieces that are always at
the corner of the cube, reveal 3 colors, have 3 places where other pieces slide past, and have a
more triangular core bit. Side pieces, which are pieces that sit between two corner pieces, reveal
2 colors, have 2 places where other pieces slide past, and have a diamond shaped core bit with a
slit where the corner piece core bit fits perfectly. On each of the pieces’ black side, there are two
or three (depending on the type of piece) clips that when pushed on, allow for the color layer to
come off the piece. The side pieces don’t have too much interesting going on, but the piece is
noticeably hollow, and the color pieces are separate. The corner pieces on the other hand, while
again hollow, but the color pieces are surprisingly attached together by interlocking clips.
However, one unique feature that each piece has is a small magnet attached to where the pieces
slide past each other on the insides of the piece. These small neodymium magnets attached by an
adhesive, seem to serve two purposes; to help pieces “click” into place smoother, and to help the
cube maintain its shape when rotating certain layers. However, the strength of these magnets
cannot be changed as the magnets are attached with a very strong adhesive. Judging by the
multitude of customization options and intricate tools and technology, this seems to be a more
high end type of cube, possibly customized to make the cube move as fast and smooth as
possible for faster solving times. There is also a possibility that this cube could’ve been used for
competitions of sorts, where players would try to solve the cube as fast as possible.