A man has achieved a new world record for his quirky collection of a certain puzzle and claims his total spend could have bought him a vintage vehicle.
Florian Kastenmeier, 40, a youth worker from Bavaria, Germany, is now a Guinness World Record holder for the largest collection of Rubik’s Cubes – with over 2,600 in his collection.
In 1982, the puzzle-fanatic, along with his three brothers, shared the game and while he tried to figure out the conundrum, he soon lost interest after being unable to solve it.
Upon moving home in his mid-20s, he stumbled across the pastime and made it his mission to finally finish the puzzle – where after a week, he became hooked.
Now, he owns multiple types of the cube, from big ones, little ones, pyramid-shaped and even ducks – and claims his quirky collection has cost him the same price as a vintage car.
“There is no unsolved cube in my home, as I always have to solve them,” he told NeedToKnow.Online.
“I can solve a normal 3×3 cube in about 40 seconds, but that’s not as fast as Max Park, but still the fastest at home.
“I don’t really have a favourite one because there are so many, but there’s definitely a few specials.
“For example, [I have] a Rubik’s cube which looks like a tennis ball with Boris Becker’s autograph on and this was given for the wedding of Princess Diana and King Charles.
“For a real collector, all their collectibles have a special value and for me, the oldest cube in my collection, is the most valuable to me personally.”
n the beginning, he often purchased the cubes in general toy shops and while working abroad.
Now, he expands his collection online and from people who gift him unique ones to add to the impressive collection.
He added: “I even get cubes from companies who hear about my collection.
“I keep all my cubes arranged on shelves in a large room at home and so far, people have reacted positively.
“Many come to me who want help solving their puzzles and my whole family can solve the cube.
“After [discovering] my old Rubik’s cube, I’ve always wanted to have more and that was the start of my little collection.”
