I don't see any pumpkin spice lattes...

2 and a half months since the last Basic Set.

https://brickset.com/article/103250/vintage-set-of-the-week-basic-set

We're just missing 1-7 for a complete set of Basic Sets from 1973!

Basic as a theme, went through multiple lifespans.

Black numbers in 2 styles from 1976 to 1980, then colored numbers from 1981-1984

1985 introduced the name Basic.

1985-1989 with this font : 730-2 : Basic Building Set, 7+
1990-1991 with this font : 1639 : Basic Building Set, 5+

Then pretty much just labeled LEGO System from 1992-1997.

Then another different font in 1998-2000 : 4223 : Basic Building Set, 5+

1999 briefly had the Classic theme too, but pretty much the rest became Creator, until the revival of Classic in 2015.

It's interesting however, how some of the early basic sets are actually far more complex then some sets from the late 90s.

I mean, sets like 744 : Universal Building Set with Motor, 7+ or 740 : Basic Building Set, 7+ were basicly Technic hybrid sets.

Many sets actually look a whole lot more Creative then the current 3-in-1 sets, while sets got far more detailed, and far more parts types and colors, it's quite interesting how many sets have like houses/boats/airplanes/helicopters and animals as suggested builds at the same time, such is the paradox of basic bricks.

It's interesting how so many animals are seen in a set like https://brickset.com/sets/258-1/Zoo-(with-Baseboard) , and now many people just want new moulds.

That plane has the thickest propeller blades I've ever seen.

I miss those working shutters. This is pure LEGO for me.

@legoDad42 said:
"People may see basic, but I see a beautiful set.
This is how you get a young builder interested in alt building, moc building, customizing.
True Lego building at its finest."

Agreed, a set like 730-2 shows many possibilities, and really doesn't seem any less interesting compared to a similar looking , much later City set 7641 . (altho 2009 already seems like a whole different era of City)

@ra226 said:
"722 was my first set and I love it to this day. The limited parts available was to its advantage--it forced creative thinking and also removed the issue of having to find the exact right part--sometimes the part simply didn't exist. You found something close enough, something that gave the impression, and moved on."

Although i grew up in the 80s,i totally agree with you. A lot of the simplicity allowed much more imagination and creative expression with the limited varieties of bricks and pieces. Don't get me wrong, i still love Lego and always will, but i find there's a little too much specifically molded pieces which are more plastic toys that Lego-bricks toys (if that makes sense)

Now that's what I call a low rider.

@NotProfessorWhymzi said:
"how many "Basic Sets" are there? yeesh..."

The people who named LEGO sets were throwing shade decades before that was even a thing.

This was my first Lego set. It was given to me as a gift after having my tonsils out in 1974 (or 1975).

@MCLegoboy said:
"2 and a half months since the last Basic Set.

https://brickset.com/article/103250/vintage-set-of-the-week-basic-set

We're just missing 1-7 for a complete set of Basic Sets from 1973!"

My OCD really appreciates that we’ve had the gaps filled in

@TheOtherMike said:
"That plane has the thickest propeller blades I've ever seen."

Not for me. We used to use 2x4 bricks or plates on a wheel with studs.

Too basic for me.

@Maxbricks14 said:
"This is so basic, I don't know what to say!

Other than that the person they built is far too big for his house and car!"

After this set, they came up with the minifigure.

The US-numbered version of this set (115) was among the first, and maybe the first, Lego set I ever got, when I was 4-5 years old. The box is long gone, but I still have pretty much all the parts. I remember that cover image very well, and using the parts from that set to make things is among my earliest memories.

The slightly smaller (I assume) set number 2 was one of if not the earliest set I remember getting, I think for my 2nd birthday in late 1974 - I remember the match between the 2 on the box and my age for some reason...

I like the low rider car and now know that the studs on the wheels where to allow propeller blades.
There must have being some interesting upside down building to add the white blocks underneath the wing plates.