The Minds Behind True Genius
True Genius puzzles are designed in partnership with some of the most respected inventors in the world. Meet the minds behind the mechanisms.
Oskar van Deventer
A Dutch puzzle designer who started at age 12 and has created hundreds of mechanical puzzles over more than 40 years. He held the Guinness World Record for the most complex twisty puzzle, his 17x17x17 “Over the Top” cube, and his designs are produced by Meffert’s, WitEden, and Hanayama. By day, he is a research scientist with a PhD in optics.
True Genius designs
Cristian Poliziani
Italian mechanical puzzle designer, engineer, and scientist based in the U.S. As the founder of NoWayPuzzle, he combines technical thinking and creativity to develop distinctive “impossible” puzzles recognized by leading international distributors, design competitions, and puzzle communities worldwide. He is also co-founder of the World Mechanical Puzzle Competition, now in its 6th edition and bringing together thousands of puzzlers across more than 100 locations worldwide every year. His original True Genius designs include the Roman Water Clock, Nordic Longship, and Egyptian Almanac.
True Genius designs
David Yakos
David Yakos is an award-winning inventor, mechanical engineer, and co-founder of Streamline Design. His work spans everything from advanced technologies developed for NASA and industry to toys and games designed purely for fun. He has licensed more than 200 inventions, with products earning multiple Toy of the Year nominations. A two-time Toy Innovator of the Year and 2024 Game Designer of the Year, David has built his career combining technical problem-solving with play and turning imaginative ideas into products people love.
True Genius designs
Have You Invented Something Special?
If you’re a puzzle inventor and believe you’ve created something that belongs in the True Genius Collection, we’d love to hear from you. Tell us about your design and send it our way.
