Rubik’s Cube celebrating 40th anniversary today

President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso congratulated Professor Ernő Rubik today on the 40th anniversary of his legendary Rubik's cube with an ice cake in the form of the cube.

Professor Ernő Rubik, inventor of the famous cube, met Mr Barroso on Saturday over lunch to discuss the importance of science outreach and education in order to attract young people to careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, according to a statement on the European Commission website.

President Barroso said: "Today we are celebrating the 40th birthday of a timeless toy that has become an iconic symbol of European ingenuity worldwide. The Rubik's Cube is the ultimate metaphor for bewildering complexity and triumphant intelligence, creativity and innovation. At a time when we need to mobilise all our capacities in innovation, research and development and promote more than ever our skills in science and engineering, the Rubik's Cube is an encouragement and a reminder to all Europeans that we have the talents and skills boost the European economy and build sustainable growth and jobs. Let's make use of them!"

The lunch was attended by Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth Androulla Vassiliou, Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion László Andor and Chief Scientific Adviser to the President of the European Commission Professor Anne Glover, as well as other participants from the science, business and policy communities.