They say that you should never judge a book by the cover, but book publishers have long known that we still do anyways. Shannon Sproule’s appreciation for classic sci-fi cover art from the ‘50s to ‘70s has led him to create some eye-catching LEGO book covers of his own. Let’s take a closer look.
Read MoreI’m afraid that latest band featured by builder redfern1950s2 didn’t get much airplay here in the US, and back then before global connectivity if they didn’t play you on the radio, you didn’t exist. The only song from The Stranglers I’m aware of is No More Heroes, but being a kid of the 70’s and 80’s I’m guessing they’ll have some more offering that will be in my wheelhouse. Time to do some catching up.
I've said it many times, the 70's weren't pretty, but there was an unquestionable earnestness to the era. The Gong Show was a thing, disco was on the radio and let's not talk about fashion, but it was all done with a brash energy and unapologetic gusto. Cars weren't pretty back then either, but they were necessary and everywhere. This scene from 1979 Sweden by builder LegoJalex captures the working class vibe perfectly, and feels so very 70's I wouldn't be surprised to see it's on a Thrifty "Twin Pic".
It takes one flip through a Sears Wishbook or a rerun of the Gong Show to remind yourself just how unattractive the 70's were. Things like avocado appliances and bellbottoms not only existed, they were popular. It is in this environment that things like wood paneling, orange on brown paint paint schemes and the shag dashboard were allowed to happen. So for LUGNuts' latest challenge "cult following", builder Lino M had to audacity to built an El Camino, with an orange on brown paint job...and it's friggin' awesome. It defies all logic, but he pulled it off.
Our buddy Iain Heath, harkening back to his Disco Days, was inspired by grobie's ongoing series of classic synthesizers. "Launched in 1979, the Fairlight CMI was the first commercially viable digital sampling keyboard. It ushered in a new decade of musical experimentation at the hands of artists like Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush, Mike Oldfield and the Art of Noise." The only thing missing is a pic of Iain with some nice sideburns and a pair of bell bottoms--Funky!
I never had a Speak & Spell as a kid, they came along just a little late for me (I already speaked and spellt) but this MOC from jtheels still gives me the uber nostalgic feels. I played with one of course, there were plenty at friend's houses and at school, but unlike the fun you could have with a calculator (58008 anyone?) we could never work out how to make Speak & Spell curse for our amusement.
I spent my formative years squarely in the 70's, and they weren't pretty. Bellbottom jeans, disco, The Gong Show and avocado appliances are just a taste of some of what that age of excess had to offer. It wasn't all bad though. The 70's also gave us Star Wars, micronaughts and Atari. There were some pretty groovy interiors back then too, as expertly demonstrated by builder eyescream54. I'm pretty sure one of those records is Meco Star Wars too (ok, just wishful thinking).
Ever wonder what goes into the design of LEGO set packaging? BrickNerd has you covered as we dive into the rules, standards and design sensibilities that go into creating an appealing product for store shelves.
What happens when a lifelong Trekkie, AFOL and professional toy designer finally gets an official LEGO Star Trek playset? Samuel Hatmaker explores the new Enterprise bridge and shows why playing Star Trek matters as much as displaying it.
We spoke with several Autistic AFOLs who shared their experiences with LEGO regarding coping, community, collecting and catharsis. And we found that Autism can be both a challenge and a superpower when it comes to LEGO.
What do you do when a LEGO Pokémon set doesn’t quite hit the mark? Take it apart and create an alternate build using only the pieces from the original set! But how do you level up a character as recognizable as Pikachu?
What happens when a LEGO builder who knows almost nothing about Pokémon takes on the entire Smart Play wave? We explore the colorful and curvy sets and then remix them into crazy creations far beyond the Pokédex.
Who was Susan Williams and why was her impact on people’s perception of LEGO so significant? Join BrickNerd as we piece together the illustrious career of this mysterious LEGO employee.
Have you ever wondered what the LEGO community was like in the 2000s? Today's guest writer and veteran builder, Nannan Zhang, shares his thoughts on building and sharing MOCs online for the past 20 years.
BrickNerd is your source for all things LEGO and the LEGO fan community
Like what we're doing? Become a patron to show your support, get early access, exclusive swag and more. Or leave a one-time donation by hitting the yellow button. Everything is appreciated!
BrickNerd is not associated with The LEGO Group.
Opinions shared on this site are our own and not the opinions of LEGO or The LEGO Group.
LEGO® is a trademark of The LEGO Group which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this site.
Copyright © 2013 - 2026 BrickNerd. All Rights Reserved.
Contact Us
September has arrived with a fresh selection of LEGO contests and challenges. Don’t miss your chance to build a MOC and maybe even win some awesome LEGO prizes. With SHIPtember, the Brick Train Awards, and the return of the BrickLink Designer Program, there’s plenty of inspiration to start building!