1974

 

  • 1974

    Posted by Huw, 02 Apr 2010 15:03. Filed under Brickset.

    263: Kitchen
    Homemaker, 1974
    More details...
    ©1974 LEGO Group

    Continuing with our release of new images of vintage LEGO sets, today I have uploaded an almost complete set of pictures of sets released in 1974.

    After several years of releasing 'dolls-house' style Homemaker sets, figures to inhabit them were finally made in 1974. But these weren't the minifigs we know today: they were 7 or 8 bricks high with bendy arms, perfectly scaled for the sets made for them. You could build a 'whole house': a kitchen, living room, bathroom and children's room and kit them out with extra furniture and accessories. I suspect they were aimed primarily at girls, but despite that I have to admit I had a soft spot for them at the time and had one or two :-)

    The LEGOLAND sets released this year were pretty cool too. 360 Gravel Works was another of my childhood favourites: I remember playing with it for hours, there was so much you could do with it: load and unload the lorry and work the conveyer belt!

    Several new trains were made in 1974 but for some reason 12v trains were never released in the UK so my only memory of them is seeing them in toy shop windows on holidays in France. I never did persuade my dad to buy me any :-(

    1974 was significant as being the first year that LEGO made people to inhabit their models, but there was a far more significant event about to occur in 1975. I'm sure you know what that is, but if not, look out for new images from 1975 here in a few days...


    17 comments, latest one posted 38 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)
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Comments

Posted by legofanatic2414 in United States, 02 Apr 2010 15:25

Where are you getting all these images Huw? Theyr'e so...classic.

Posted by legocity1 in United Kingdom, 02 Apr 2010 15:27

wow keep them comming soon every set on brickset will have a picture also where do you get these images

Posted by knuclear200x in United States, 02 Apr 2010 15:36

Those heads look pretty cool

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 02 Apr 2010 15:39

All will be revealed soon, legofanatic. Not long to wait now!

Posted by Tommyo3000 in United States, 02 Apr 2010 18:15

I think I know what happened in 1975! :)

Posted by StarWarsManiac in United States, 02 Apr 2010 21:17

Thanks for the picks, Huw! I'm so glad that 'The Staff' of Brickset takes the time to find pics, info, and new sets all for our (the 'viewers') enjoyment, plus you can look at Brickset and say, "That's my site, I took the time, effort, and work to build it!" not to many people have the chance to even dream of saying that. Congratulations!

Posted by Brickmatic in United States, 02 Apr 2010 22:02

Wow. I never knew about those type of figures. Its really fascinating to see the evolution of Legos. There are some pieces and some styles that appear later on in different contexts. Like the bendy arms for the figs were used as grabber arms for space vehicles later. Seeing the original forms is neat.

Posted by legofanatic2414 in United States, 02 Apr 2010 23:44

Brickmatic, haven't you seen my bricklist of the "Evolution of the Minifigure"? It took me 4 days to make and I have to say its prttey informational! Not bragging though ;P

http://brickset.com/brickLists/?1424

Posted by meccanotwitch in United Kingdom, 03 Apr 2010 03:31

What an excellent year, this was. This is when I got my first set, it was a No 6 set from the previous year and I was only 6 . What memories.

Posted by DrathMaul1997 in United Kingdom, 03 Apr 2010 06:49

360 does look good

what happened in 1975? the first mini fig?

Posted by legobob in United States, 03 Apr 2010 10:05

this may be a little off topic but my grand mother has a old lego set and a old catalouge (spelling) they might be new to you so I might E mail them to you

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 03 Apr 2010 10:36

@DrathMaul: I'm surprised you don't know: http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=362-1 Notice small figures that resemble minifigs but aren't minifigs? :)
Alemas

Posted by Rock Raider in Finland, 03 Apr 2010 11:16

Every day, Brickset is better and better.

Posted by DrathMaul1997 in United Kingdom, 03 Apr 2010 12:16

@alemas ah yes ty

@legofanatic2114 i like the brick list :)

Posted by Brickmatic in United States, 03 Apr 2010 13:33

@legofanatic Hey, I like your list! Especially the annotations. Here are a few more sets you might want to check out:

Duplo 1977 http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=524-1
Basic 1981 http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=355-2
Duplo 1983 http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=2705-1
Technic 1986 http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=8620-1
Fabu 1989 http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=3676-1

Posted by legofanatic2414 in United States, 03 Apr 2010 15:44

Brickmatic and DrathMaul1997, Thanks guys! I never really thought as Duplo as being Minifigures (as I only put the figs that actually FIT into the LEGO studs :) But thanks for the Basic and Fabu, I'll be adding those two and giving you credit thanks.

Posted by BioFreak877 in United States, 04 Apr 2010 15:30

@legofanatic2414 - That is one of the best bricklists I have seen. Anyway, the set with the first girl minifigure - my uncle has that set and it is now mine! It is a weird looking piece, but it is cool at the same time.

Commenting has ended on this article.