Bricks and more bricks lego

Обновлено: 14.05.2024

Back in the 1960s the LEGO Group created a new kind of brick, for adults. LEGO® history geek Francesco Spreafico has kindly agreed to translate another of his great articles for us, which he first published in Italian on his excellent blog Old Bricks.

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In past articles I mentioned Modulex bricks a few times, but I never fully explained what these bricks actually were; I think that now the time has come to write a brief introduction about them.

History of LEGO Modulex

At the beginning of the 1960s Godtfred Kirk Christiansen had to design a real building and, as an extension to regular drawings, he created a physical model of the building using LEGO® bricks. Since he had found this process to be very useful, he decided to have a new system developed, a system that was not compatible with the LEGO System, but that was optimised for this kind of architectural design. These new bricks – the Modulex bricks – were put on the market in 1963 and they were intended only for architects, the category they had been created for.

As you can see above, these bricks are smaller than regular LEGO bricks and the ratio of the three measures of a 1x1 brick is exactly 1:1:1, the three sides are equal (5 mm), while regular LEGO bricks of course have a 5:5:6 ratio. The plastic used in these bricks is ABS, like regular bricks (but they'd also experimented with PPO – Poly-Phenylene Oxide – and there are some prototypes in CA – Cellulose Acetate – too.)

Standard 1x1, 1x2, 1x3, 1x4, 1x10, 2x2, 2x4, 2x8 and 2x10 bricks were made, and later, even variants that don't exist in the regular LEGO "world" like 1x5 and 2x5 bricks.

Many other specialized parts were made too: tiles tall as bricks (as opposed to regular tiles, which are as tall as plates), various kinds of studless slopes, lots of different kinds of windows. parts that were useful to build buildings.

They didn't make many plates though, just 1x16 ones. And the same is true for baseplates, only huge ones like 50x100. This happened because Modulex parts. could officially be cut and glued! There were special cutters and glues that were branded and sold as Modulex. I know, it seems crazy, but Modulex bricks had a different purpose than regular bricks, so it kind of makes sense. There also were some perforated foil sheets with holes for the studs that could be applied on bricks to change their colours. With special branded "combs" to fix them, too.

For the first years, these bricks' studs had "LEGO" written on them, but this was later changed into "M" (for "Modulex"), probably to give it a little touch of professionalism ("LEGO" might have sounded childish then, in a professional environment). The first moulds remained active and produced parts with "LEGO" on the studs even after the new ones with the "M" had started working, so it's possible to find parts with "LEGO" that are newer than parts with "M". All of these Modulex parts are considered LEGO parts, because the moulds were created for/by LEGO and also because Modulex A/S was a LEGO company until January 2009 (when brick production had already ceased for a while).

The colours of the first bricks were muted compared to the usual bright LEGO colours because, even though real buildings with bright colours do exist, muted colours seem to work better and look more realistic in model building (see paper linked in the end). So we saw "tan" (or "buff", as it's called in the Modulex world) for the first time, "terracotta" (and we've already talked about this), "olive green" and other colours that never became "real" LEGO colours, like "ochre yellow".

The Modulex system for architects at first was called "M20" (because the intended scale was 1:20), but most architects never got around to use it, and a new improved line was launched in 1966, "Modulex Planning System" that turned out to be a success and became Modulex's top product for many years. For this line made lots of different tiles with letters and numbers (to be able to "write" with the parts), they created the aforementioned colored foils and they also started producing bricks with brighter colours, since now buildings were not the only or the main focus of the product that had become more versatile. By the way, the name "Modulex" comes from the fact that in the 1:20 scale one single brick represented 10 cm, hence "Module X" ("X" in roman numbers, obviously).

The exact moment when studs went from "LEGO" to "M" and the bright colors started being produced doesn't seem to be known precisely and it changes quite a bit according to different sources. Most say it happened in the 1970s, but some say it was a little bit later (like 1983). Nevertheless, this chart and this photo from Flickr are definitely very interesting.

Fast-forward to the (almost) present. In 2015 Modulex bricks production was about to resume; Modulex A/S had sold the rights of the bricks and the remaining moulds to Anders Kirk Johansen (a nephew of Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen's, but not part of the LEGO Group) who created a new company: Modulex Bricks A/S. Some test bricks had been produced, but in January 2015 TLG bought the company and at the moment they don't seem to be interested in resuming production. One can always hope they will change their mind, in the future!

Today, the Modulex Group doesn't make bricks and is not a LEGO company anymore, but it remains a world leader in signage and wayfinding. Its headquarters are still in Billund, very close to the Kornmarken LEGO factory.

Вау! Серия BrickHeadz LEGO расширяет возможности для фантазии! С помощью деталей и аксессуаров, входящих в набор, создавай фигурки своих кумиров, друзей, родных или самого себя! В конструктор входят детали разных цветов и размеров, позволяющие выбирать оттенок кожи и во.

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"Тостер, поезд, привидение! Окунитесь с головой в этот среднего размера набор кубиков LEGO и дайте волю своему воображению! Бесконечные возможности для сборки из классических кубиков 35 разных цветов и специальных деталей, включая двери, окна, колеса, глаза, пропелл.

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5214130 Элементы изготовлены из качественного пластика, надёжно соединяются между собой и разбираются без особого труда. Типовые детали конструктора совместимы с наборами Ausini, Brick, Sluban, Cogo, Lego, Peizhi, Jie Star и Unicon. Объединяйте, фантазируйте и создавайт.

Дети смогут весело провести день на ярмарке с с этим классным детализированным набором «Колесо обозрения» LEGO® Creator 3 в 1 (31119). Набор для сборки состоит из вращающегося колеса обозрения с 8 кабинками, билетного киоска, прилавка с животными из воздушных шариков, а.

Конструктор LEGO Creator 31119 Колесо обозрения

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Конструктор LEGO Friends 41667 Кьюб Оливии для игр

Характеристики: Материал - Пластик Конструктор шестеренки Фани Брикс - для детей от 3х лет. Размер коробки: 35х22х6 см. Батарейка АА 1шт. Весь состав конструктора поставляеться в красивой коробочке с ручкой, что делает его презентабельным

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Детям понравится преодолевать летающие, дрожащие и качающиеся препятствия в дополнительном наборе «Решающая битва в замке Боузера» (71369). Эта модель замка, включающая в себя вращающиеся и дрожащие платформы, ворота, позволяющие поднять руки Боузера и добраться до блок.

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Устройте детям динамичныеприключения в космосе с этим крутым игровым набором «Кибердрон» LEGO® Creator 3 в 1 (31111). У модели 2 поворачивающихся двигателя, рули высоты на хвосте и открывающаяся кабина: все это вдохновляет детей да много часов веселой ролевой игры. Лучш.

Конструктор LEGO Creator 31111 Кибердрон

Тип конструктора: классический, серия: Bricks & More, возраст: от 4 лет, пол: для мальчиков, для девочек, материал: пластик

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Присоединяйся к «Космическому отряду Бенни» и отправляйся навстречу новым приключениям в открытом космосе. Этот полный приключений набор включает в себя модель космического корабля с сиденьем для мини-фигурок, а также лунный багги с двумя сиденьями для мини-фигурок. Кро.

Конструктор LEGO The LEGO Movie 70841 Космический отряд Бенни

Устраивайте веселые игры с конструктором LEGO Classic 10717 «Кубики, кубики, кубики!». Отправьтесь в плаванье в древний замок к принцу-лягушке на величественном галеоне. Соберите граммофон с поворотной платформой, классический телефон красного цвета, красивый домик в се.

Для быстрого и точного поиска мы объединили конструкторы в тематические группы, при этом учли интересы детей разного возраста и пожелания родителей.

Решив приобрести альтернативу Lego на подарок маленьким детям или подростку, родителям рекомендуется заглянуть в каталог любимых ребенком разделов — от онлайн-игр до мультфильмов и киносериалов. Так вы сможете взять действительно интересную для своего дитя игру от фабрик Када (CaDA), Моулд Кинг (Mould King), Сембо (Sembo), Шен Ян (SY), КсинБао (XingBao), Кази (Kazi), Декул (Decool), Бауэр (Bauer), Лайтейлинг (Lightailing), Же Гао (Zhe Gao) и Мультибрикс (MultiBricks), в которой он сможет развиваться не только с друзьями, но и со всей семьей.

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Check out these amazing 15+ LEGO scupltures from around the world.

The only limit to what you can build out of LEGO blocks is your imagination. To fully illustrate this, we've found 15 of the best sculptures made with LEGO bricks out there. Some of these are absolutely incredible and actually hold some world records.

The following list of incredible LEGO projects is far from exhaustive and is in no particular order.

1. This is the tallest LEGO structure (tower) in the world

Amount of LEGO pieces used: 500,000 +

Location: Tel Aviv, Israel

This incredible LEGO build is the tallest LEGO tower structure (it's yet to be confirmed) in the world. It stands at 19.6 ft (35.95 meters) tall.

Although claimed to be the tallest tower, the current official record holder is in Milan, Italy. Fittingly, the tower is actually named after him and is an incredible feat of LEGO-building.

2. LEGOland decided to swap a real Volvo car for a LEGO sculpture, just for kicks

Amount of LEGO pieces used: 200,000 +

Location: California, U.S.

In 2011, LEGOland decided to play a prank on their unsuspecting General Manager by swapping their real Volvo XC60 for a near-perfect LEGO sculpture replica of a Volvo XC90. He was amazed to return to his beloved transport to find that it had been replaced with a lifesize scale LEGO model.

The incredibly detailed model is a true work of art and weighed in at a whopping 1 tonne. It was so heavy it required the use of a forklift truck to put it into place.

3. This artist actually creates pieces of art using LEGO bricks

Amount of LEGO pieces used: Varies but the largest (Mona Lisa) consumed 30,000 bricks

Location: Eric Harshbarger is based in Alabama in the U.S.

Artist Eric Harshbarger creates amazing mosaics and other pieces of artwork using his skill and LEGO pieces alone. As if this isn't specialized enough, he focuses on recreating famous works of art in LEGO form.

His largest work to date, the Mona Lisa, used only six basic colors to create. Eric has an enormous portfolio of amazing LEGO mosaics, LEGO sculptures, and many more. You can even commission him to build one for you.

4. This Tower Bridge replica is a Guinness World Record Winning LEGO structure

Amount of LEGO pieces used: Roughly 6 million bricks (5,805,846)

Build duration: 1 year

Location: Paddington Hall, United Kingdom

In 2016 Landrover approached Bright Bricks to create the largest LEGO sculpture ever attempted. But wait, there's more.

The proposal was to build a replica model of Tower Bridge and they wanted to be able to drive a Land Rover Discovery over the structure when completed.

It took the team many millions of bricks, 1 year, and a hell of a lot of hard work to complete the structure. For their efforts, the team was rightfully awarded the Guinness World Record for the largest LEGO sculpture.

5. This futuristic LEGO map of Japan is incredible

Amount of LEGO pieces used: 1.8 million bricks

Location: Japan

5,000 Japanese students in six different workshops managed to build an incredible futuristic map of Japan. So-called Project Build-up Japan was sponsored by LEGO to celebrate its 50th-year presence in Japan.

It's not an exact replica of Japan but more of a conceptual model for the possible future topography of the nation. Built almost entirely out of ivory colored blocks, it is an eerily beautiful prediction of the future.

6. These incredibly spooky houses are a sight to behold

Amount of LEGO pieces used: Varies but some use as many as 130,000 bricks

Build duration: Varies but 'Three-storey Victorian with Tree' took 450 hours to build

Location: N/A

Mike Doyle is an incredible LEGO sculptor who builds incredibly realistic models of Victorian-style houses that are absolutely stunning in their attention to detail. Each of his abandoned houses is meant to represent nature's ability to ruin anything a man can build.

It's amazing to think that each and every one of his abandoned house sculptures are made exclusively out of plastic LEGO bricks.

7. This school has one of its wall clad in LEGO!

Amount of LEGO pieces used: 1,263,801

Location: Cowley St. Laurence Church of England Primary School and Children’s Centre in Hillingdon, Greater London

The architects for the Cowley St. Laurence CoE Primary School wanted the school's children to take part in the design of their school. They decided to recruit children, parents, and teachers to help build one facade of the building out of LEGO bricks.

The final result is 2,690 ft 2 ( 250 m 2 )of LEGO awesomeness that has a patent-pending for the LEGO build process used.

8. This sculpture holds the Guinness World Record for the largest LEGO ship

Amount of LEGO pieces used: 2.5 Million bricks +

Build duration: 2 months by more than 1,000 builders

Location: Hong Kong

The entire model weighs 2.8 tonnes and measures 27 ft (8.44 m) long, 4.36 ft (1.33 m) wide, and 5 ft (1.53 m) tall.

9. This LEGO Mario is super awesome

Amount of LEGO pieces used: 30,000 +

Build duration: 160 Hours +

Location: The Netherlands

This giant LEGO statue of Mario is both awe-inspiring and has brought some good to the world. It was sold to raise funds for the Ronald McDonald Foundation in the Netherlands back in 2009 for around $3,700.

This charity raises money to supply proper housing for relatives of hospitalized children, in the vicinity of clinics.

10. This giant LEGO robot sculpture is awe-inspiring

Amount of LEGO pieces used: 2.8 Million Bricks

Location: Minnesota Mall of America

Called Herobot Nine Thousand, this robot sculpture is one of the most impressive LEGO structures of all time. It stands at about 38ft (11.6 meters) and weighing in at 6 tons it's a real testament to the talent of its builders.

Frankly, you'd be amazed it isn't the 'Real McCoy'.

11. This Life-size LEGO house is the dream home for any LEGO-lover

Amount of LEGO pieces used: 3.3 Million Bricks

Location: Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking, Surrey (Formerly)

This incredible life-size LEGO house took 1,000 volunteers to build the 19.6 ft (6 meter) tall house. James May, of Top Gear fame, helped organize the construction with the help of 1,000 volunteer builders.

Although not entirely practical as a home it was situated in the middle of a vineyard. Despite this, it was later demolished as no buyer could be found, but hey, it did have a working toilet and shower and its own LEGO key.

The bricks were given away to charity following the building's demolition.

12. This giant LEGO Pharoah is truly incredible

Amount of LEGO pieces used: 200,000 +

Build duration: 5 Months

Location: Legoland Windsor, Windsor, UK

Weighing more than 1 ton this giant LEGO Pharaoh was made in the Czech Republic but has since found its home in the UK. To make this journey, it was transported by truck and floated down the Thames.

It was commissioned to be part of a new £3 Million attraction at LEGOland Windsor to form part of the Kingdom of the Pharoah's display at the park. It took four modelers only five months to complete and traveled over 1394 miles (2245 km) from the Czech Republic.

13. This model of the USS Intrepid is a LEGO builder's fantasy

Amount of LEGO pieces used: 250,000 +

Build duration: 600 hours

Location: Artist lives in Portsmouth, UK

This cool LEGO build is one of the biggest, and most impressive, LEGO ships ever made. Built at a scale of 1:40, it's as close to the actual famous WW2 aircraft carrier as it gets.

Built by LEGO artist and enthusiast David Dement, it measures in at over 21 ft (6.7 meters) and was inspired by his trip to the real one. It is complete with movable gun turrets, scale-model aircraft, and even crew escape rafts.

Not only that but David built a working elevator from the main hanger to the main deck.

14. This 1:1 scale LEGO model of an X-Wing is truly out of this world

Amount of LEGO pieces used: 5.3 Million Bricks +

Build duration: 17,366 hours

Location: Artist lives in Portsmouth, UK

Coming complete with a life-size model of R2 D2, this full-scale LEGO sculpture X-Wing has a total wingspan of just over 32 ft (10 meters). What's more, the engines can even light up and roar.

The entire construction weighs 20.8 tonnes. It is 11 ft (3.35 meters) tall, 43 ft (13.1 m) long, and took 32 builders around 4 months to finish.

In theory (if you can get permission), you could even sit inside the cockpit and re-live your childhood ambitions of being Luke Skywalker or Biggs Darklighter (who are we kidding?).

15. These shadow art LEGO sculptures need to be seen to be believed

Amount of LEGO pieces used: Varies but some as many as 41,000 bricks

Location: Artist lives in Chicago

Artist John V. Muntean is an incredible LEGO builder who makes models whose actual form is only realized once the model is backlit. His 'Magic Angle Sculptures' are a truly unique and fascinating use of these humble little plastic building blocks.

Each model uses light and movement to change the apparent amorphous masses of plastic into beautifully detailed shadow art. Some even contain three or more different images depending on the orientation of the model to the light source.

BONUS - Nathan Sawaya is an incredible LEGO sculptor

Amount of LEGO pieces used: Varies but "Yellow" consumed 11,014 bricks. "Rebirth of New Orleans" consumed an amazing 120,000 + bricks.

Build duration: Varies, but usually days. "Rebirth of New Orleans" took several weeks.

Location: Artist lives in New York City

Nathan Sawaya is a truly incredible LEGO artist. He specializes in creating human sculptures out of LEGO and each one of his creations starts out with a hand-drawn concept. He is probably best known for his work "Yellow" which represents his move from the corporate world to a LEGO artist.

Another one of his famous works is the "Rebirth of New Orleans", which was commissioned to commemorate the rebirth of the city after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

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