This 3D-printed model of the Diabolical Cube brings a historic and challenging puzzle into your hands, enhanced with a modern design for enthusiasts and collectors alike. Originally introduced in Puzzles Old and New by Professor Hoffmann in 1893 and later featured in Stuart Coffin’s Geometric Puzzle Design, this puzzle consists of six polycubes that assemble into a perfect 3×3×3 cube.

Model Features

• Block Design: The puzzle pieces have a modern cubic block aesthetic.
• Custom Five-Sided Box Housing: A thoughtfully designed box houses the puzzle. The open side allows easy access while offering a secure and elegant way to display and store the pieces.
• Challenging Assembly: With only 13 solutions this puzzle is as rewarding to solve today as it was in the 19th century.

Puzzle Composition
This model is comprised of six polycubes, each varying in size and in increasing arithmetic progression:

• Dicube: 2 cubes
• Tricube: 3 cubes
• Tetracube: 4 cubes
• Pentacube: 5 cubes
• Hexacube: 6 cubes
• Heptacube: 7 cubes

These pieces fit together to create a symmetrical 3×3×3 cube, offering a fascinating challenge for those who love dissection puzzles.

Historical Context
The Diabolical Cube stands out as one of the earliest documented dissection puzzles, predating more well-known puzzles like the Soma Cube by several decades.

Comparison to Similar Puzzles
While similar puzzles such as the Soma Cube and the Slothouber–Graatsma Puzzle also challenge players to create a 3×3×3 cube, the Diabolical Cube’s unique set of flat (single-layer) polycubes and historical precedence distinguish it from its counterparts. Its symmetry and flat, single-layer structure create a distinctive solving experience.

Other Puzzles

See some of the other puzzle designs I have uploaded [https://makerworld.com/en/collections/3241321](https://makerworld.com/en/collections/3241321)

References

1. Hoffmann, Angelo Lewis (Professor Hoffmann), Puzzles Old and New (1893) – The first documentation of the Diabolical Cube.
2. Coffin, Stewart, Geometric Puzzle Design – Detailed design inspiration and historical background for the puzzle.
3. Coffin, Stewart. The Puzzling World of Polyhedral Dissections (johnrausch.com) – Online copy provided by John Rausch.
4. Wikipedia, Diabolical Cube (en.wikipedia.org) – Historical and contextual information on the puzzle.
5. Jo Nakashima, Origami Diabolical Cube Puzzle (jonakashima.com.br) – Another fun way to build this model.