This is an interesting discussion (the "Yau method"). One can also ask "Who invented the Rubik's Cube"? In March 1970, Larry D. Nichols invented a 2×2×2 puzzle and 9 April 1970, Frank Fox invented a 'amusement device' with "at least two 3x3 arrays". These two inventors predated Rubik's...
During Covid lockdown I had time to bring out my old rubik's cubes to mess with again (I am now 53 years-old). While doing a podcast with two good friends of mine, he asked me to solve his son's Rubik's cube (3x3x3). My one friend, also in his late 50s, was amazed that I solved it in about a...