LEGO Dinosaurs: unearthing the history
Posted by Huw,
It's been a while since we published a historical article, so to put that right SprinkleOtter has written this piece on LEGO dinosaurs through the ages:
Dinosaurs, while being a staple of practically every toy company ever, actually took quite a while to make it into brick form. But when they did, they had a string of successful Creator sets and even more successful themes, leading us to the most recent wave, the Jurassic World sets.
At the lowest level of this dig is a couple of Basic sets. Unfortunately, like with real-life dinosaurs, little is known about the early history of LEGO Dino. We do know that the first set marketed solely as a Dinosaur was a parts bucket 1705, which seemed from pictures, to contain several “cave people” and parts to make what only loosely resemble known Dinos. There was also a small but cute Dinosaur 1725, vaguely named just that though it appears to resemble a Brachiosaurus.
Duplo Dinosaurs came three years after the first LEGO experiments into the world of Dino toys, suggesting that the first two sets sold at least modestly well. The sets might have been based loosely on Jurassic Park, but I'm no expert so I can't confirm this to be the case or not. There were also a couple of Duplo parts buckets that allowed you to build whatever prehistoric scene you wanted. Duplo Dino had a second run from 2007-2008, with the same stylized dinos that were used more than a decade before. These sets were pretty spectacular, featuring prehistoric people, their cave, a hatching mechanism for dino eggs, and even a dino trap, which seems a little out of place in Duplo.
On the 2000 level of this dig is the first minifigure-scale Dino theme: Adventurers Dino Island. Dino Island saw the creation of several mostly molded dinos, though they never appeared in another theme without Jonny Thunder. The theme revolved around Jonny Thunder and his team researching the dinos on the mythical Dino Island, while trying to stop the evil Sam Sinister (or whatever name LEGO wanted to give him at that minute) and his henchmen from capturing the dinos for their own profit. Being the first theme of its kind, Dino Island didn't have a set formula for success. Instead it gave us a variety of sets, from a research compound to a pontoon plane. Strangely, most of the sets, while good models, had a weird multi-colored theme, which detracts from their visual appeal in my opinion.
The first series of Jurassic Park sets consisted of a mere two sets, that were released with Studios, which had a few dino sets of its own. My guess is that a full licensing agreement for Jurassic Park was never reached, or LEGO didn't feel that Jurassic Park sets would sell well. The Jurassic Park sets didn't have any characters from the movie, instead including Jonny Thunder and Pippin, as well as the “stuntman” minifigure. Studios featured, again, the cast of Adventurers. There was only a trio of dino sets, one centered on a T-Rex and its baby, one a brick-built dino head, and the last a brick-built dino foot, both for up-close shots.
One of the least known dino themes was the short-lived Dinosaurs theme. Dinosaurs was a collection of Creator-style sets, that contained enough parts to create three dinos (usually one well-known dino, with two lesser-known ones for the alternate models). The models ranged in size from small brick-built “baby” dinos to “adult” ones made of specially-molded parts that allowed for locking joints. Each included a double-sided instruction sheet that doubled as a play mat that depicted different environments the dino might live in. Like with other Constraction sets at the time, the larger dinos came in hard canisters.
There have been a number of Creator dinosaur sets released throughout the years, including the largest brick-built T-Rex (4507). However the majority of Creator-style dino sets were small polybags, or other small sets, like X-Pods. Many were promotional releases, such as the descriptively-named 7219 Dino and 7210 Long Neck Dino. In the US, these two were free with Tropicana oranges juices. Does anybody out there know where else they were available from?
In 2005, LEGO released two Dino themes: Dino Attack and Dino 2010. The former was available in the US, while the latter had a limited release in other countries. Dino Attack was a revolutionary theme for LEGO. Mutant dinos had escaped from labs (wait, that sounds familiar...), and had taken over LEGO City. It was up to a team of four Dino Hunters to “neutralize”, as LEGO put it, the threat. Their arsenal included bazookas, tanks, combat helicopters, and a strange artillery buggy. This was in response to fans telling LEGO, in Greg Farshtey's words, “No, we want them to fight the dinos!” Apparently the rest of the world didn't share this view, and Dino 2010 was focused on capturing the dinos, instead of destroying them. The Dino 2010 vehicles were slightly modified versions of their Dino Attack counterparts, replacing guns and turrets with cages, nets, and winches. Images for both are shown for comparison.
The Dino Attack/2010 dinos were larger than any other molded LEGO dinosaur, and featured moving jaws and light-up eyes and tongue (for unexplained reasons) on the T-Rexes. The batteries that powered the lights are incredibly long-lasting; mine still work, ten years later even after extensive use. The paint on the dino's teeth, however, is not. Play was likely to chip away at the paint, leading to a case of dino tooth decay. Feel free to brush off your own collection and let me know how yours have fared over the years.
The most recent dinosaurs theme was the creatively named Dino theme, which was a cross between Dino Attack and Dino Island. In Dino, dinosaurs had escaped from labs (yet again... I hope the next original Dino theme has the dinosaurs coming from somewhere else), and traveled into the jungle. A team of dino trackers (including Josh Thunder, a nod to Dino Island) was tasked with capturing the dinos, with the usual assortment of nets, winches, and cages, though the use of tranquilizer darts and missiles was added. These dinos were similar to those in Dino Attack, though much smaller and more realistic. Dino featured the return of a molded triceratops after ten years. Dino sets were extremely popular, the sets now bringing roughly five times their original value on second-hand websites. This popularity seems to have set the formula for Dino themes to come, as Jurassic Park seems to be a remake of Dino (though with licensing to jack up the prices).
The present incarnation of LEGO Dinosaurs is the Jurassic World line, with research into the sets being conducted here, here, here and here. Keep checking back for further study of this theme, as there are two more sets to review, and they look like some of the best to me.
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Actually, there was an explanation for the glowing eyes and mouth for the Mutant T-rex in the Dino Attack Dino 2010. They were described as having both "laser vision; mouth is a nuclear furnace that can disintegrate anything its jaws close upon." (from the Wikipedia page on LEGO Dino Attack). Also, in the 2005 online flash game, one of the boss Mutant T.Rexes also spat fire from his mouth.
What about the fantastic programmable T-Rex in the 8485-1: Control Centre II set?
http://brickset.com/sets/8485-1/Control-Centre-II
See: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=75864
Just a brief aside on those Jurassic Park III sets from 2001: The whole idea of the "Studios" theme was for it to be a "movie set within a set". So you had the normal play set and then a director or camera guy minifig standing on the side with a film camera. TLG wanted kids to imagine themselves as filmmakers setting up scenes rather than be solely interested in the action of the set itself. It seems like it was a bit of an experiment, and judging by how long the theme lasted, it seems like kids didn't take too well to the concept.
Anyway, my theory is that TLG tried to legitimize the theme by bringing in real franchises that they could put on the box. This was back before they had licencing agreements with virtually everyone but Star Wars, so reaching out to more franchises was a huge step for TLG at the time. JPIII is one of them, but incidentally Spider-Man is another. The very first Spider-Man sets were released in the Studios theme in 2002, a full year before it became its own theme. And since Spider-Man was the first licensed Lego super hero, who knows, we might not have the abundance of Lego Super Heroes sets that we have today if Studios wasn't around to open the door. As for Jurassic Park, that film franchise went dormant after III and Lego has possibly been waiting all these years to pick it up again once a new film came out.
Also can't forget space dino 'Robo Raptor 2152, and the awesome 'monster dino' 4958.
And, sadly, it'll probably take till 2025 before LEGO starts making feathered dinosaurs. Seriously though, to name stereotypical examples of both lizards and birds, how is an anole lizard or gecko (commonly kept as pets) scarier than a duck (known to attack with such aggression that facial reconstruction surgery is neccessary)? Add in the fact that feathers have been found on numerous branches of the dinosaur family tree and it just becomes ridiculous that people are still making featherless dinosaurs (with the exception of some species that are known to have scales, which still resemble the sort of scales found on birds such as vultures more than crocodilian scales).
A game on Lego "Dino" website showed a paleontologist finding a giant stone gate which was opened with a series of levers. This let all of the dinosaurs loose into the world. At the end, all the dinos are shown herded back into the gate. I'm not sure if this would be a more accurate story or not...
@DraikNova ... uh, for the same reason that actual Lego birds don't have feathers? Because making feathered animals with actual feathers (in a Lego scale, which is very, very small) would be almost impossible? I'm fairly certain actual dinosaurs didn't have plastic studs on their backs, either...
I liked the Dinosaurs theme in the hard canisters. I thought those were great. I'd waited years to have an actual Tyrannosaurus wandering down the main street of my Lego city, and it was worth it.
The Dino Attack/Dino 2010 sets were pretty atrocious, though. I bought a couple of the smaller ones, and I think I ended up selling them off. The dinosaurs barely looked like dinosaurs, the whole thing was just silly.
The most recent dinosaurs (in the JW line, as well as the Dino theme from a couple of years back that was basically 'Jurassic Park' with the serial numbers scrubbed off) are some of the best. They look like dinosaurs, there's wonderful detail, and they've got great play value. I've really enjoyed those. I particularly like that now with the JW line, we can add a dilophosaurus to the mix.
I'm still mad that I didn't get the Triceratops from the 2010 line when I could (for a reasonable price).
Pretty sure the first molded dinosaur was the T-rex in the original studios set with the camera. The JP sets followed from that a few months later.
as I remember those 2001 Dinosaurs sets could form four dinos each, not three. the main one featured on the front of their boxes and three others. t-rex one had t-rex (duh), spinosaurus, ouranosaurus and parasaurolophus, for example
I kind of regret not getting any of the Dino sets. they all look pretty cool, fun to build and scoot around. but alas I was rather short on cash in 2012, and needed my money for things like food...
Thanks for the nice history on LEGO dinosaurs, makes me want to go out and buy some :D. Also, Sprinkleotter, the first link goes to 1705-1: Pen Pack Pohatu, not 1705: Large Dinosaur Bucket. Just wanted to let you know :)
That 7477 Dino Attack helicopter was too sweet to pass up. My son had lots of fun with that one!
@nikrom
That set is nothing short of glorious! In case you didn't know, there is an enormous replica of that Technic dinosaur at Legoland California that is quite a sight to behold! Although, when I looked at pictures of it just now I can see it's not totally accurate, but the essence is captured.
I found a 6719 - Brachiosaurus canister in a charity shop a few years ago which had all the parts & instructions for 6719, and all the parts & instructions for 7002 - Baby Brachiosaurus, and instructions and a few parts for 7001 - Baby Iguanodon. They are excellent little sets and my daughter used to love them when she was little. I've never seen any of that range anywhere else and just looking on the database it seems it wasn't around for long. Also, @Brickalili is correct, the canisters made four dinos, not three.
@ Roborider.
Yeah, but they never explained how they stuck a nuclear furnace in the dino's mouth :P
@ Nikrom.
Well, that wasn't really marketed as a dino set, was it? However, it would fall under the "Creator" category ;)
@Zordboy
Well, the point of Dino Attack was that they weren't real dinos. The smallest ones were even called "mutant lizards". They were just designed to be more ferocious than usual. Bigger teeth, horns, plows on the bottoms of their tails... :P
@ Thebrickdoctor.
Ah, whoops. :P I must've pue -1 instead of -2 when I set it to Huw. I'd fix it if I could, but I can't.
Really? I remembered the Triceratops making three, though I could be mistaken.
Tbh The only one I really know for sure about is 6719 - Brachiosaurus. I dug it out this afternoon after your great article.
^ Thanks :)
@ Brickalili.
Yeah, food is kind of important :P You could try looking locally for Dino sets- I've managed to get two Dino Defense HQs locally, for under $100 each. Easy investments.
@ ResIpsaLoquitur.
Actually, the molded T-Rex came out in Dino Island the same year it came out in Studios.
However, it appears I misrememberd Studios- the stomping foot and T-Rex were in the same set.
@ lippidp.
It really was a great set. :) A little fragile, maybe, but really great.
How is your T-Rex's head doing (battery and teeth)?
What about 31024 roaring power? It has a dinosaur as one of it's builds.
@SprinkleOtter
Battery and teeth are like new! The scales on its head are chipped. I'm not sure if it came that way or my kids chewed on them. :)
@Huw
The price increase between the Dino theme and the JW theme is more regional than universal. In the US all the sets are at pretty much the exact same price point they were before, and the JW sets have more parts and a better selection of minifigs than before too. I see thru comparison though that across the pond you have seen the price go up.
$20/£18 - 5883: Tower Takedown, 1 fig, 1 dino (pteranodon), 136 pieces
$20/£20 - 75915: Pteranodon Capture, 2 figs, 1 dino (pteranodon), 174 pieces
$30/£25 - 5884: Raptor Chase, 2 figs, 1 dino (raptor), 259 pieces
$30/£30 - 75916: Dilophosaurus Ambush, 2 figs, 1 dino (dilophosaurus), 248 pieces
$35/£30 - 5888: Ocean Interceptor, 2 figs, 1 dino (pteranodon), 222 pieces
$40/£40 - 75920: Raptor Escape, 2 figs, 2 dinos (raptors), 394 pieces
(both these were/are retailer exclusives)
$50/£40 - 5885: Triceratops Trapper, 2 figs, 1 dino (triceratops), 271 pieces
$50/£50 - 75917: Raptor Rampage, 3 figs, 2 dinos (raptors), 324 pieces
$70/£50 - 5886: T-Rex Hunter, 2 figs, 1 dino (t-rex), 480 pieces
$70/£60 - 75918: T-Rex Tracker, 3 figs, 1 dino (t-rex), 520 pieces
$100/£80 - 5887: Dino Defense HQ, 4 figs, 3 dinos (t-rex, raptor, coelophysis), 793 pieces
$130/£100 - 75919: Indominus Rex Breakout, 4 figs, 1 dino (i-rex), 1156 pieces
Either way, I think Jurassic World is hands down the best Dino theme LEGO has given us.
I've got quite a few of the Johny Thunder and first Jurassic Park sets :-)
Those Dinosaur sets look like big, blocky messes. Dino 2012 and Jurassic World are fantastic. The development of LEGO in the last ten years is astounding.
I have, somewhere, the 2012 Raptor Chase, and I like it much more than Dilophosaurus Ambush, vehicle-wise. That huge yellow monster truck beats the crap out of the out-of-scale weird blue Jeep, although I prefer the gyrosphere and Dilophosaurus to an olive-green raptor and miscellaneous scenery.
Aww, seeing all these dinosaurs makes me wish that there were a few more Jurassic World sets with more dinosaurs, like all the dinosaurs being featured in the video game. Oh well, one can dream that we'll get get those dinosaurs three years from now...
Dino Attack was released in the US while the Viking sets were released in Europe - the assumption was that neither would particularly appeal to the other territory. But, global fandom being what it was, there was enough demand for hastily re-designed Dino trapper sets to be released in Europe. And, I gather the Vikings eventually made it to the US (though not for the first time, if certain historical theories are to be believed!)
And good point about the 8485 Control Centre T-Rex - a huge, life-size version of that was made for Legoland Windsor.
For the "Dino" theme, it was implied that the aliens from the failed "Alien Conquest" theme brought them from the past as an attempt to invade. At least, in a Lego Club magazine comic. I don't know how reliable those are in terms of canon...
I know about Monster Dino, but didn't think it was really relevant. If you want to hear more about him, though, I gave him a paragraph in my article in Bricks.
It would be great to have a new Triceraptops.
@Zordboy: You don't need to mold the individual feathers, the creature just needs to have the proper shape that feathers would give it. Basically, LEGO needs to avoid the ugly effect of "shrink-wrapping": basically pulling skin over a frame of bones without taking into account musculature, fat or integument. LEGO's one-mold albatross shows that it has feathers, without needing to mold every one of them either.
@Huw
I just want to mention "ttp://" mistyping in two of the four "here" links in your last paragraph.
Many thanks for this great article about dinosaurs in the LEGO history.
I love the jurassic themed stuf.
There's an error in the section about the 2001 Dinosaurs sets; they actually had four different models, not three.
Also, @Zordboy, they don't mold individual feathers on birds, it's true, but have you ever looked at a LEGO bird and come to the conclusion it wasn't feathered? They're still molded with feathered wings and tails, and their profile takes into account feathers. None of these are true of their theropod dinosaurs (which also have issues such as pronated wrists, as a result of the current dinosaur molds being heavily based upon the Jurassic Park depictions.)
I hope someday we'll get a Dinosaur theme that brings it up to modern science instead of stagnating in the JP era like toy companies are wont to do. When I buy dinosaur toys, I really want dinosaurs, not movie monsters.
^Yes, that would be awesome.. but just think of the molding costs for that... *shudder*
lol
The Creator Dino polys were available with Kabaya sweets in Japan.
7209 Pteranodon
7910 Brontosaurus
7219 T-Rex
Were available in 2004. They were distributed in small "cup-o-noodle" style containers, with a gumball and the polybag inside. These were nice little models. The Pterandon, basically looks like a baby version of the larger one that could be built with the 4507 Prehistoric Creatures Creator set.
The other two did not really match up much with the larger Creators set. The T-Rex certainly did not as the Green Brick use was not included in the 4507.
I like the 2000 lego adventurer's theme they have the best sets.I buy them on ebay.