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).
Want to customize a minifig without fancy printers or toxic fumes? Learn how to use the dark art of reductive design to literally erase the line between official and custom LEGO parts.
LEGO meets tabletop combat in the Brassbound universe. We talk with creator Paul Antoine about designing microscale armies, turning builds into game pieces, and developing games with a growing community.
When a legendary archaeologist minifigure meets the spin cycle, adventure calls! Follow along as we reclaim the lost fedora of Indiana Jones and uncover how to repair a LEGO keychain.
LEGO adventurers need somewhere to unwind between quests. We talk with Sleepy Dragon Inn designer Marin Graux about classic Castle, medieval hospitality, and how his design evolved for the BrickLink Designer Program.
From sketches to superglue, see how this custom LEGO motorcycle earned its street cred. We chat with Jean-Yves about the design, prototyping, and even heat resistance of his LEGO customizations, taking them from prototype to the pavement.
October 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 a new LEGO Speederbike Challenge, and a Halloween contest or two, there’s plenty of inspiration to be found!
What makes your eye land on one part of a LEGO build before another? In this month’s Conversation Piece, we explore focal points, visual weight, and how builders can guide a viewer through a composition.
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