Published November, 1981 – Eagle’s Scream, Eagle Rock High School

Solving the Rubık’s cube at incredible rate of two twists per second, Minh Thai, senior, has already established himself as the Western Region Champion. Last Friday, he competed against eight other finalists from other sections of the country.

The contest, sponsored by Ideal Toy Company, will appear on the television show, That’s Incredible! airing on November 30. Originally, the show was planned to be held in New York, but it was changed so that the television studio could capture the competition. Thai became a national finalist after competing in the Rubik’s Cube-a-Thon, held at Magic Mountain last October. There he out-twisted 549 other competitors after five rounds to win first prize.

The Cube-a-Thon was divided into three rounds of elimination. Those who could solve the cube in under three minutes received a T-shirt and went on to the next round. Then there was a round for under one-and-a-half minutes and under one minute. However, 11 finalists were still left who could solve the cube in under one minute. Still remaining were four people who could solve the cube in less than 50 seconds. Thai’s winning time of 39..4 seconds may have been less in actuality, because the timers were electronically activated by the picking up and placing down of the cubes.

Thai is not allowed to discuss the outcome of the national Rubik’s cube contest. “You’ll have to wait until November 30 when it comes on That’s Incredible!’ “

He will, however, give advice on quickness in solving the Rubik’s cube: “Practice is the most important thing; it’s just a matter of practicing.”