Review: 21355 The Evolution of STEM
Posted by CapnRex101,
Science, technology, engineering and maths are essential areas of study, often grouped as STEM subjects. LEGO Ideas hosted a contest focused on STEM in 2023, which gave plenty of scope for creative designs, hence the remarkable variety of submissions.
Knowledge is Power by danielbradleyy was the winner, presenting various aspects of STEM with the familiar open book format. The revised model, 21355 The Evolution of STEM, alludes to even more scientific disciplines than Daniel's creation, including a few surprises not revealed in official images!
Summary
21355 The Evolution of STEM, 879 pieces.
£69.99 / $79.99 / €79.99 | 8.0p/9.1c/9.1c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
Though more expensive than I would like, this is a delightful celebration of STEM
- Huge variety of disciplines represented
- Attractive composition
- Some brilliant models
- Well-executed minifigures
- Newton is tricky to display properly
- Feels a little expensive
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Minifigures
Representing all aspects of STEM with only three minifigures is impossible, but I am satisfied with the trio included. Sir Isaac Newton is a natural choice, as one of the most important and influential polymaths in history and this minifigure looks superb. The light bluish grey hair piece suits him brilliantly and I like the sand green jacket, although it is rather vibrant, relative to his portraits.
Marie Curie, meanwhile, is dressed in black and takes inspiration from a well-known photo of the Polish physicist and chemist, whose achievements include the discoveries of both radium and polonium. I wish her dress piece had been decorated, although the torso is very detailed, while the dark tan hair piece selected suits Curie well.
The same cannot necessarily be said for Newton and Curie's double-sided heads, which are each re-used from past sets. Newton's grin seems a bit silly and their alternative expressions are far from ideal,
American agricultural scientist George Washington Carver completes the trio and wears a LEGO flower on his lapel, in reference to his work with plants. This minifigure does include a unique head, which looks excellent, topped with a flat cap. His accessories are notable as well, with a cleverly-constructed watering can and a printed tile featuring some peanuts, for which Carver developed many new uses.
Newton comes with an apple, inspired by the scientist's story that a falling apple prompted his theory of universal gravitation, while Curie holds a flask and a printed tile representing radium on the periodic table. As many people predicted from official images, this tile glows in the dark, reflecting the element's radioactivity and historic use in radioluminescent paints.
The Completed Model
LEGO has produced several sets consisting of items bursting from an open book and Daniel Bradley's Ideas submission followed the same format, conveniently, although certain updates have been made for the final model. Increasing its height has evidently been a focus and I find the composition extremely effective, seamlessly combining models of multiple scales.
The book forming the base is reminiscent of 76391 Hogwarts Icons - Collectors' Edition, albeit smaller, measuring nearly 21cm across. Dark red is an excellent colour for the cover, while the pearl gold corner protectors look splendid. Additionally, the pages incorporate some new curved slopes designed for the Speed Champions F1 range, with 1x6 curved slopes and 2x6 concave slopes forming gentle curves at the pages' edges.
A large workbench occupies the centre of this model, with room for one or more minifigures to stand in front. The stickered chalkboard presents varied scientific and mathematical principles, including the golden ratio, an illustration of Pygathorean theorem and the formula for Newton's second law of motion, alongside a sketch of a plant and its root system.
Many other referential details can be found on the desk, beginning with a microscope and two printed petri dishes, introduced in Friends and City in 2023. The trans-clear 1x1 pyramid takes inspiration from the the prisms Sir Isaac Newton used to study optics and light and I expect the quill also belongs to Newton.
At the other end we find an early computer, displaying a pixelated version of the Classic Space logo on the stickered screen. Also represented using a sticker underneath the chalkboard are a trilobite fossil and a mysterious ancestor of the minifigure: the statue figure!
Behind the computer is a 3x3 round tile representing the golden records launched aboard the Voyager probes, intended to inform any alien species the probes could encounter about Earth. This requires another sticker and matches the real records exactly, showing instructions to play them, a hydrogen atom diagram and a map signalling Earth's location among nearby pulsars, among other things.
The neighbouring garden area is intended for George Washington Carver, with space for the minifigure to tend his plants. The flower elements introduced recently are used perfectly here and the sunflower in particular looks marvellous. Moreover, I like how the curved window from Animal Crossing has been integrated, serving as a backdrop for the flowers.
Continuing towards the back of the book, we find a microscale cityscape. This represents the role of technology and engineering in developing our modern cities, notably including a sewer outflow underneath, as an example of an older innovation. The new 1x2x1 curved slope arrived in January, but this is its debut appearance in trans-light blue.
New York seems to be the primary source of inspiration here because the structures included resemble the Flatiron and the Chrysler Building, beside a tiny Statue of Liberty. The red bus is more associated with London, while the colourful advertisements could represent various cities around the world. The billboards advertising 'Meow Bits' make reference to the fan designer's cat, Zeus!
Linguistics is an often-overlooked field of science, though thankfully not on this occasion. The edge of the pages is detachable to reveal tiles arranged in morse code underneath, using 1x1 round tiles as dots and 1x2 rounded tiles for dashes. Unsurprisingly, the four letter code shown here reads 'STEM'.
The other side of the book includes a robotic arm mounted on a turntable, with a car from the early twentieth century. The latter is arguably the most impressive item of all, given its level of authentic detail and compact size.
I love the spoked wheels and the bodywork shape is amazingly realistic, especially around the doors and the back, where a spoiler element is put to brilliant use. Moreover, the colourful dark orange and dark red elements used for the upholstery inside are lovely.
As mentioned earlier, Sir Isaac Newton suggested that observing an apple falling from a tree inspired his theory of universal gravitation. An apple tree is accordingly placed beside the car, with space for Newton's minifigure to sit underneath. Though this is a welcome addition to the model, the figure is hardly visible from the front when tucked back here, which is a shame.
Another surprise is hidden beneath the pages on this side, as sixteen 1x1 tiles form a beautiful spectrum. Like the prism placed on the workbench, this detail relates to Newton's study of light and demonstration that light comprises a spectrum of colours through experiments.
Returning to the middle of the book, another of my favourite items included is the model of a carbon atom. Carbon atoms contain six protons, six neutrons and six electrons. which are all represented here. Technic balls and small ball joints form protons and neutrons in the nucleus, while the electrons are arranged in two layers, using 1x1 holders with clips.
Admittedly, this model is greatly simplified and one of the dark azure particles is hidden at the back, unfortunately. Nonetheless, I am impressed with the atom's construction and the printed 2x2 round tile in the centre looks fantastic, originating in 21327 Typewriter.
While the carbon atom is undoubtedly eye-catching, the model's centrepiece is a Technic DNA strand. The distinctive double-helix structure of DNA was discovered in 1953 and this rendition is recognisable, albeit stretched. However, I like the colour-coded Technic connectors denoting base pairs and the phospate structure consists of a new 2L Technic beam with axle.
Turning the knob on the back of the book will cause the DNA strand to rotate and the carbon atom to rise and fall. I am not convinced this function was necessary, but it does not interfere with the model's appearance whatsoever, so I have no problem with its inclusion.
Space exploration is another important scientific field, hence one of the Voyager probes and a space shuttle are mounted atop the DNA strand. These models are small and the shuttle looks rather basic, compared with the many previous LEGO recreations of this spacecraft. Voyager is better, although its separation from the record displayed on the base is peculiar.
Lastly, we encounter a bumblebee also connected to the DNA strand. Some have criticised this is a strange inclusion and I can understand why, as much of what is featured celebrates human ingenuity and discoveries. However, bees are integral to the global ecosystem and this model is truly outstanding, thanks to the shape of its legs and the clever use of trans-clear leaves for the wings.
Overall
21355 The Evolution of STEM has far exceeded my expectations for a number of reasons and its display value is chief among them. Models like this sometimes seem chaotic, but I think the arrangement of disparate items is very effective. Most are also excellent on an individual basis and my favourites include the car, the bumblebee and the carbon atom.
Furthermore, I am pleased with the coverage of different STEM subjects. Of course, nowhere near all could be included, although physics, chemistry, engineering, astronomy, aeronautics, palaeontology, linguistics, agricultural science and plenty of others are represented, which is laudable considering the model's size.
The only factor I struggle with is the price. £69.99, $79.99 or €79.99 seems fair based on the piece count, but other than the base, the provided items are rather small, hence the sense of value is lacking. Even so, this remains an appealing set for anyone with an interest in science and it offers something unique within the LEGO Ideas range.
176 likes
62 comments on this article
It does look a little small for the price, even though the ppp is decent.
I like Newton's alternate face- I guess you could make it so the apple is falling on his head- but Marie Sklodowska Curie's one is disappointing.
The DNA helix should be twisted in the other direction (anti-clockwise). Not sure how awkward it would be to change it on this model?
Apart from that it's a great looking set. Love the car.
That computer looks fun, has there been a set before with a CRT computer?
The fact the electrons in the carbon atom are arranged in 2 layers in a 2+4 layout, makes me very happy.
I wonder if it should've included a 4th minifigure to represent all four branches of STEM.
Science: Marie Curie
Technology: Thomas Edison or another famous inventor
Engineering: George Washington Carver
Math: Isaac Newton, or possibly Albert Einstein instead
Maybe we could get a CMF Series based around STEM that could include some other famous scientists, or something like that
Maybe the Marie Curie alternate face is for when she realizes the tile she's holding is carcinogenic.
@WolfpackBricksStudios said:
"I wonder if it should've included a 4th minifigure to represent all four branches of STEM.
Science: Marie Curie
Technology: Thomas Edison or another famous inventor
Engineering: George Washington Carver
Math: Isaac Newton, or possibly Albert Einstein instead
Maybe we could get a CMF Series based around STEM that could include some other famous scientists, or something like that"
Creating peanut butter is not engineering - that’s chemistry. His background was in plant science
But I like that idea, though
@Tuzi said:
"That computer looks fun, has there been a set before with a CRT computer?"
Yes, more than you might expect! The ones in the Elf Clubhouse and Lego Batman Movie sets are some of the better examples.
A great looking set that forms a genuine 'Idea'. Price is fine but will be cheaper for those who want to wait for a bit. Definitely on my wishlist but there's a lot of competition in March!
I think the carbon atom would look better if the outer electrons were arranged slightly differently. As it is, the inner and outer electrons almost form a vertical line, and it looks odd.
There are elements of this that I like, but the overall effect is a bit too chaotic for me.
@Tuzi said:
"That computer looks fun, has there been a set before with a CRT computer?"
The Jurassic Park sets and Ghostbusters HQ come to mind but they don't look as good as that one. I can definitley see a Macintosh 128k here (though I might be biased since it was released on the very same day I was born ^^)
As an engineer I feel like I want to like this set more than I actually do. It's an intriguing concept but I don't think it's something that I need on display.
@Sandinista said:
" @WolfpackBricksStudios said:
"I wonder if it should've included a 4th minifigure to represent all four branches of STEM.
Science: Marie Curie
Technology: Thomas Edison or another famous inventor
Engineering: George Washington Carver
Math: Isaac Newton, or possibly Albert Einstein instead
Maybe we could get a CMF Series based around STEM that could include some other famous scientists, or something like that"
Creating peanut butter is not engineering - that’s chemistry. His background was in plant science
But I like that idea, though "
I'd consider agriculture a form of engineering
It's a great set but personally I kind of only want bits and pieces from it, like the golden record or the radium tile, the bee's wings etc. Perhaps another BrickLink job.
Fantastic set, I love it. Will hold off getting it though, bit much at price.
Will definitely modify some things to be different, like the DNA and bee.
@WolfpackBricksStudios said:
" @Sandinista said:
" @WolfpackBricksStudios said:
"I wonder if it should've included a 4th minifigure to represent all four branches of STEM.
Science: Marie Curie
Technology: Thomas Edison or another famous inventor
Engineering: George Washington Carver
Math: Isaac Newton, or possibly Albert Einstein instead
Maybe we could get a CMF Series based around STEM that could include some other famous scientists, or something like that"
Creating peanut butter is not engineering - that’s chemistry. His background was in plant science
But I like that idea, though "
I'd consider agriculture a form of engineering"
As an agricultural scientist, I would not consider agriculture a form of engineering. Agricultural Engineering is a field within agriculture, and a very important one. However, most agricultural scientists relate more to biology and chemistry.
1. I love that this is a Lego Ideas set that isn't based on a movie, TV show, or a video game. More unlicensed Ideas sets, please!
2. I'm thrilled we get three more historical minifigs based on real people. I love it when Lego makes these, and I collect them all.
3. I'll definitely be buying this set, though like always, I'll be waiting for a nice GWP or other deal. I'm rarely in a rush to buy a set on Day 1.
Thanks for the great review, @CapnRex101!
Why the bumblebee is included: There is a story, that according to scientists in the past, the bumblebee shouldn't be able to fly, because it is too bulky, has small wings or something. But since noone mentioned this to the bumblebees, they fly around happily :)
It means that if your theory shows someting, and practice proves otherwise, then your theory is flawed.
What a mess.
@WolfpackBricksStudios said:
" @Sandinista said:
" @WolfpackBricksStudios said:
"I wonder if it should've included a 4th minifigure to represent all four branches of STEM.
Science: Marie Curie
Technology: Thomas Edison or another famous inventor
Engineering: George Washington Carver
Math: Isaac Newton, or possibly Albert Einstein instead
Maybe we could get a CMF Series based around STEM that could include some other famous scientists, or something like that"
Creating peanut butter is not engineering - that’s chemistry. His background was in plant science
But I like that idea, though "
I'd consider agriculture a form of engineering"
Considering I work as an engineer, I disagree
The Radium tile glows?? I so need Curie and her tile...
Not my cup of tea but certainly an eye catching build.
Thanks for the hard work of finding all references
Add Oppenheimer or Alfred Nobel but lego would never allow that
Someone online said the DNA strand is actually going in the wrong direction? Is that correct? I'm too lazy to check :)
As for the build. It has a lot of neat features. The figures are fun. The car is neat for sure.
I'm assuming the price jumps up a bit because of the "play" feature involving the DNA and Carbon atom.
Weird to think we are just made up of technic balls.
I'm also curious, did they send a record player with the golden records because otherwise how will aliens know to invent their own record players to play it? Strange.
They should have included Ernest Rutherford, a New Zealand scientist who split the atom.
Love this set even more after seeing the full review.
@CapnRex101, any chance you could add a photo of the new Technic piece by itself?
The watering can may be cleverly constructed, it has been done before as the bee smoker from 71029-7.
Looks like a totally cluttered and disparate mess to me. And far too expensive for such a small set.
Easy pass.
@Sethro3 said:
"I'm also curious, did they send a record player with the golden records because otherwise how will aliens know to invent their own record players to play it? Strange."
They did include a stylus (record needle), and instructions on how to use it.
How do you provide instructions to an unknown alien race who not only doesn't understand English, but who knows absolutely nothing about Earth? It's actually quite fascinating, because your only common knowledge (presumably) is the fundamentals of math, physics and chemistry.
Google "Voyager Golden Record" to read more about it.
I like it a lot. They've fit in references to a whole lot of different sciences, and the engineering achievements are good too. It's full of details but not too crowded. I don't mind the bee, because it's an easily recognized example of biology. I wouldn't have even thought about linguistics, so it's fun to see the Morse code put in there too, though maybe it's also a reference to the telegraph, another key technology.
I would guess that the reason the DNA helix rotates is to make the Voyager probe, bee, and shuttle "fly" in circles.
GW Carver is a great choice for a real-life minifig. Rising from nothing to greatness in order to help others. A genius who wasn't self-centered.
Isaac Newton discovered Mavity... I don't know what this 'Gravity' thing is and where it could have come from...
;-)
I like it more now than at first glance. Might be a way to get kids into STEM, then again there are probably lots of better ways at that price
@Sethro3 said:
"Someone online said the DNA strand is actually going in the wrong direction? Is that correct? I'm too lazy to check :)
As for the build. It has a lot of neat features. The figures are fun. The car is neat for sure.
I'm assuming the price jumps up a bit because of the "play" feature involving the DNA and Carbon atom.
Weird to think we are just made up of technic balls.
I'm also curious, did they send a record player with the golden records because otherwise how will aliens know to invent their own record players to play it? Strange."
Three 'types' of DNA: B-DNA the most common for all living form - this one is right-handed. Z-DNA (discovered the latest in the 70s) is left handed but is not a mirror image of B-DNA, it also has other structural differences. Finally A-DNA (observed in dehydrated or tightly packed condition) which is also right-handed but has some structural differences from B-DNA. The reason why B-DNA is the most common is quite convoluted and too long to explain here. In very short and simple: at a time where beta-radiation (from radioactive decay) was more a factor, the right handed strands survived better, after millions of generations, they are the dominant form (this is the accepted idea as of now). The Lego model is depicting a left-handed DNA (i.e Z-type). You should be able to easily reverse it when you build it.
I’ve never even heard of 2 of the minifigures. And honestly don’t care to know them either. I guess this set isn’t for me. Cute car though.
@Tuzi said:
"That computer looks fun, has there been a set before with a CRT computer?"
In addition to what @Mister_Jonny and @yellost said, one with a CRT monitor came out as recently as last year: 76293. https://brickset.com/article/115578/spider-man-advent-calendar-day-16
Really not a fan of the open book base, could have been something cooler like a piece of uranium ore. Kind of neat, but it feels small for the price and once you notice the double helix is flipped the wrong way around, the model doesn't look as good. Extremely easy pass.
Neat figures though.
@maffyd said:
"The DNA helix should be twisted in the other direction (anti-clockwise). Not sure how awkward it would be to change it on this model?
Apart from that it's a great looking set. Love the car."
Show's how great Lego's quality control is! Not to even mention that no one who used the golden ratio wrote it out as a decimal approximation to 6 digits when there was a nifty greek symbol used to denote it.... or that Newton originally wrote his 2nd law about the conservation of momentum F=d(mv)/dt and not about acceleration ....
Lego has just the greatest research team....
1) this has good ideas and some neat builds and secrets but overall it feels too unfocused and too crowded at the same time (for me)
2) it's lame to re-use heads for 2 out of 3 figures
3) Carver's figure is great
4) I hope the Radon periodic table tile makes it onto Pick-A-Brick
As a chemistry professor, the depiction of the carbon atom drives me up a wall. However, I appreciate its inclusion in the model. Anything that piques the general public's interest in chemistry is important. Only carbon-12 has 6 neutrons. It's the most abundant isotope of carbon by far so I can see why it was included. Since DNA is a molecule, I'm cool with that being included too. I'm surprised there is no depiction of the caffeine molecule. 9 times out of 10, when someone has a T-shirt with a chemistry-related graphic, it's caffeine.
@maffyd said:
"The DNA helix should be twisted in the other direction (anti-clockwise). Not sure how awkward it would be to change it on this model?
Apart from that it's a great looking set. Love the car."
If the DNA strand is able to freely rotate, I would assume it wouldn't matter if it spirals the other direction. It will still function as a ball screw to raise the carbon atom, when turned in the opposite direction.
@Tuzi:
Um...all of Classic Space?
@WolfpackBricksStudios:
All three minifigs represent scientists (physics, physics/chemistry, biology). This discussion happened in the reveal comments, but kinda late in the game, so people may have missed it.
@WemWem:
And another thing that was mentioned in the reveal comments is that the French government exhumed her body, and testing indicated that she did not ingest enough radium to be lethal, so the current theory is that her work in field radiology during WWI is what did her in.
@BJNemeth:
It was the result of a MOC contest on Ideas, not a general purpose submission. I think the contests often prohibit the use of licensed IP. The D&D contest was an obvious exception. I believe Magic of Disney was also a glaring exception. The Fender Strat is, I believe, the only instance of an open contest that resulted in them needing to secure a license after the fact, and Ray the Castaway was a case of someone kinda cheating the system with an unlicensed set based on the film Castaway.
@watcher21:
Ironically, TLG has long ago produced not only a printed tile, but also a molded accessory based on Nobel's most famous invention. Creating the Nobel Prizes did the trick as intented, though, and very few people probably now associate his name with...dynamite.
@Ephseb:
They went a little crazy with making unique heads for _every_ licensed character (to the point that some of them are nearly indistinguishable from each other), and have since cut waaaaaaay back. If they had already produced a head that would work for GWC, I expect that head wouldn't have been unique either. The print itself may not be, if it had previously been used on a yellow head.
@Reventon said:
"I’ve never even heard of 2 of the minifigures. And honestly don’t care to know them either. I guess this set isn’t for me. Cute car though."
You really shouldn't say those kinds of things- even to yourself, or out loud, or on the internet, or on a nerdy Lego forum on the internet.
We try to be accepting and non-judgmental. But, we cannot suspend disbelief if you won't let us.
There are a lot of neat details in this model, but I think I'll settle for Bricklinking the sticker sheet and the minifigures. The overall design is too jumbled for my taste, and the problems with the DNA and the model of the carbon atom undercut exactly what should interest me the most (chemistry and biochemistry).
Then again, if it gets people interested in STEM (even in order to nitpick) I feel it serves a good purpose.
It still looks like a mess to me, and it is quite funny that 1000s of people that think they are 'supporting STEM' will be displaying a model where DNA has the wrong handedness (and incorrect grooves). Couldn't someone at LEGO do a quick google search to look at the structure of DNA? This is a science set for people that don't care about science.
@Ridgeheart said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @Reventon said:
"I’ve never even heard of 2 of the minifigures. And honestly don’t care to know them either. I guess this set isn’t for me. Cute car though."
You really shouldn't say those kinds of things- even to yourself, or out loud, or on the internet, or on a nerdy Lego forum on the internet.
We try to be accepting and non-judgmental. But, we cannot suspend disbelief if you won't let us."
Oh. No, Counselor of Styles. If people want to celebrate their ignorance and thereby remove all doubt, let them. It saves me so much trouble, so much time, down the road. In fact, I could go back to every SW-article there ever was and proudly proclaim "I don't know what this is and I'm alarmingly happy about that for no adequately explained reason", but that just sounds like so much work. Can we just pretend that's part of every SW-set so far, and of every SW-set that's to come?
"+ Very swooshable
+ Looks like the thing from the thing
- Still no kama on the guy
- Ridgeheart doesn't know what this is"
I suppose that in fairness, it could be considered a plus."
Oh, you know you're a rabid- yet closeted- SW fan! The only thing that sets your heart ridges tingling more are the current standings of the Eredivise.
Seriously, I don't really judge people who feign ignorance when it comes to sportsball, news, politics, or even cherished nerdy pop culture.
Yet, when it comes to the history of intelligent people whose ideas literally made our lives possible, I struggle to tolerate those who go beyond feigning to simultaneously parade both their ignorance and lack of desire.
Especially with the world in this straight, it's how we got here.
Now, stop swooshing my X-planeships. Those are not toys!! They're valuable components of my investment portfolio.
@Sandinista said:
" @WolfpackBricksStudios said:
"I wonder if it should've included a 4th minifigure to represent all four branches of STEM.
Science: Marie Curie
Technology: Thomas Edison or another famous inventor
Engineering: George Washington Carver
Math: Isaac Newton, or possibly Albert Einstein instead
Maybe we could get a CMF Series based around STEM that could include some other famous scientists, or something like that"
Creating peanut butter is not engineering - that’s chemistry. His background was in plant science
But I like that idea, though "
George Washington Carver did not invent peanut butter.
As a Pole, I am very disappointed with the omission of the Polish part of Maria Sklodowska-Curie's surname in official descriptions. She always used her full name, even in Nobel Prize Diploma. @CapnRex101 could you check if her full name, or at least nationality, is mentioned in the first pages of the instruction?
@StyleCounselor said:
"Especially with the world in this straight, it's how we got here."
Strait. Just like the band’s name.
@maffyd said:
"The DNA helix should be twisted in the other direction (anti-clockwise). Not sure how awkward it would be to change it on this model?
Apart from that it's a great looking set. Love the car."
Great catch! Looks easy to fix (looking at the parts used...)
@WolfpackBricksStudios said:
"I wonder if it should've included a 4th minifigure to represent all four branches of STEM.
Science: Marie Curie
Technology: Thomas Edison or another famous inventor
Engineering: George Washington Carver
Math: Isaac Newton, or possibly Albert Einstein instead
Maybe we could get a CMF Series based around STEM that could include some other famous scientists, or something like that"
I believe both Thomas Edison and Albert Einstein have their images copyrighted...the three depicted don't seem to have this restriction.
@WolfpackBricksStudios said:
"I'd consider agriculture a form of engineering"
My mom’s dad was a farmer with a civil engineering degree, and I think he just turned over in his grave.
@PurpleDave said:
" @maffyd said:
"The DNA helix should be twisted in the other direction (anti-clockwise). Not sure how awkward it would be to change it on this model?
Apart from that it's a great looking set. Love the car."
@Ephseb :
They went a little crazy with making unique heads for _every_ licensed character (to the point that some of them are nearly indistinguishable from each other), and have since cut waaaaaaay back. If they had already produced a head that would work for GWC, I expect that head wouldn't have been unique either. The print itself may not be, if it had previously been used on a yellow head."
printing faces previously used only for Lego city (yellow figures) onto licensed (skin-coloured) heads would have my support 100%, no questions asked. since I probably won't but this set, I don't mind the faces too much but you gotta admit that putting several new faceprints with no real life referende into the Pharell Williams set while not making special ones for IRL people is kinda weird. also Black Widow and Padmé Amidala now share the Jyn Erso face, while they had unique faceprints back in 2012-2016 and 2014 respectively…
@Ephseb:
Compare the faces on minifigs hp127 and poc013, to see what I’m talking about. Both originated in 2011 for licensed minifigs. They’re basically mirror image prints, but Stan’s face is unique to that minifig, while the Cook’s face stayed in production until 2020. The Cook didn’t even get a proper name in the movie, so why did that minifig need a brand new print? Stan only appears in one scene, so why did his minifig need a second, nearly identical, but also brand new print?
@PurpleDave said:
" @Ephseb :
Compare the faces on minifigs hp127 and poc013, to see what I’m talking about. Both originated in 2011 for licensed minifigs. They’re basically mirror image prints, but Stan’s face is unique to that minifig, while the Cook’s face stayed in production until 2020. The Cook didn’t even get a proper name in the movie, so why did that minifig need a brand new print? Stan only appears in one scene, so why did his minifig need a second, nearly identical, but also brand new print?"
true that makes no sense. I think I get the point now.
@Sethro3 said:
"Weird to think we are just made up of technic balls."
We *are* carbon-based lifeforms, after all.
@StyleCounselor said:"Now, stop swooshing my X-planeships. Those are not toys!! They're valuable components of my investment portfolio. "
"No, actually it's a highly sophisticated inter-locking brick system."
@MZ_1 said:
"As a Pole, I am very disappointed with the omission of the Polish part of Maria Sklodowska-Curie's surname in official descriptions. She always used her full name, even in Nobel Prize Diploma. @CapnRex101 could you check if her full name, or at least nationality, is mentioned in the first pages of the instruction?"
The instruction manual does mention her Polish nationality, but refers to her as Marie Curie. I understand your frustration that her name is often truncated and makes her sound French, but realistically, Marie Curie is her common name nowadays, so I am not surprised LEGO chose to use it.
@Ephseb:
Yeah, they were basically falling into the same trap that nearly bankrupted them before. _Every_ licensed character needed to have a unique face, even when they were played by the same actor. In some cases it makes sense (Han Solo doesn't have any facial hair, while Indiana Jones has a bit of scruff). In others...it's hard to tell what the point was. The problem that resulted in was a surplus of generic human faces that didn't bring anything new to the table except the added expense of designing the prints, producing new printing pads, and warehousing more unique elements.
@PurpleDave said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
"Especially with the world in this straight, it's how we got here."
Strait. Just like the band’s name."
I'm technically incorrect. The worst kind. :(
@TheOtherMike said:
" @StyleCounselor said:"Now, stop swooshing my X-planeships. Those are not toys!! They're valuable components of my investment portfolio. "
"No, actually it's a highly sophisticated inter-locking brick system.""
The way I'm using it, makes it an adult thing.
@WolfpackBricksStudios said:
"I wonder if it should've included a 4th minifigure to represent all four branches of STEM.
Science: Marie Curie
Technology: Thomas Edison or another famous inventor
Engineering: George Washington Carver
Math: Isaac Newton, or possibly Albert Einstein instead
Maybe we could get a CMF Series based around STEM that could include some other famous scientists, or something like that"
I would buy that CMF series! I'd love a Lego Charles Darwin, and I missed out on Galileo Galilei from not getting 40595.
Man, I sure do LOVE the idea of this set. This is one of the best examples of an educational set TLG has ever released. While the poen book base isn't a new idea, the rest sure is. I just adore all of thew little minibuilds, and the old computer with our beloved Classic Space logo had me almost rolling out of cuteness when I first saw it. The figures are well-made too, however I sadly didn't even know about George Washingtion... Carver. But of course, no good without bad: the price, oh, the price! I'm starting to think that both Icons and Ideas sets will remain expensive, no matter the size. I'll be waiting for it to go on discound, because I really want to buy it... Because 70$ is no joke of a price.
That 3 wide car is a masterpiece.
it looks like a valencian's Falla