I recently acquired a special version of the Cushion puzzle, also known as Pillow cube.

The puzzle was sold as ‘Würfelpyramide’.
The German word ‘Würfel’ means ‘dice’ or ‘cube’ and was in the 80’s used to identify Rubik’s cubes with the name ‘Zauberwürfel’ (Magic Cube).

The name ‘Pyramide’ (or Pyramid) is of course remarkable, even when considering that both ends of the puzzle resemble a truncated pyramid.
Still, the outside of the packaging mentions the name ‘Würfelpyramide’ and the same applies for a small accompanying leaflet.

The bottom of the packaging doesn’t really match the puzzle and is, like the leaflet, of octagonal shape.
This might be an indication that the company ALLCO, who marketed/distributed this puzzle, may also have marketed the octagonal version or perhaps other puzzles.

I have tried to find out more about the company ALLCO.
In relation to puzzles I only found the name in David Singmaster’s ‘BIBLIOGRAPHY ON RUBIKS CUBE AND RELATED PUZZLES’.
It is registered as a company active in ‘Geduldspiel in Würfelform’ (‘Patient game (puzzle) in dice/cube shape’) located in Aschaffenburg (Germany), with a date 1981.

I have compared the puzzle with another version of the Cushion puzzle which has a sticker mentioning ‘Million Space Shuttle’.

Both puzzles not only have the exact same size, but also apply identical stickers, see attachments (the black in the Million Space Shuttle actually isn’t black but these are spots with missing stickers).
So, it looks like both were produced at the same location (perhaps Taiwan?).

Does anyone know more about this puzzle, similar puzzles and/or the company ALLCO?

Geert

Geert, I found the same puzzle with the name "Original Puzzler".

Claus: Is there "King" written on the sticker at the top?
Please compare with this:
http://twistypuzzles.com/cgi-bin/puzzle.cgi?pkey=1263

The King "cube"


On June 2nd, 1981, Crown Rax industrial Co Ltd offered the ACER Space Shuttle (5.7 cm) for $1.10/piece with a minimum ordering quantity of 5,000.
Crown Rax International was at that time the leading manufacturer of toys in Taiwan.
The offer came in response to an inquiry of David Singmaster from April 15th, 1981.
Unfortunately I don't have a picture of the puzzle.

Andreas, you are right. It is the King puzzle. Do you need more informations or pictures?

No thanks. The ones here are sufficient.