Ernő Rubik is a Hungarian architect and professor of architecture, best known for inventing the Rubik's Cube in 1974. Originally designed as a teaching tool to help explain three-dimensional geometry, the cube quickly gained popularity as a puzzle and became a global phenomenon in the 1980s. Rubik's invention has inspired numerous competitions and a vibrant community of enthusiasts. The Rubik's Cube has also led to the development of various other puzzles and games, making Ernő Rubik a significant figure in both the fields of design and recreational mathematics.