Jperm has great beginner method videos on YouTube. Learned how to solve the 3x3 last year practicing side by side with that video for an hour or so for approx 3 days.

I just solved the 12 sided megaminx a few days ago for the first time. It's addicting lol

I read this book, published in 1981.

tl;dr - kid on skiing holiday, broke his hand, spent two weeks figuring out the cube, wrote book.

Yes, by looking up how to do it and then practicing until I could actually implement the instructions.

That Rubik himself figured it out with no guide is impressive as hell.

Yes. I took it apart and then put it back together solved

Dad taught me when I was 10, in 2 hours. When u find one at a friend's house I'm surprised I still know how to do it!