The Technic Universal Sets
1982 NL Technical catalog
The first 3 universal sets, including the large 8090 Universal Set, and a new 4.5 V motor, featuring a new battery box and connecting leads, were introduced.
In Europe the theme was given a new name - Technic. The new name was used for both advertising and on the boxes. In fact several of the earlier Technical sets, such as the 8848 and 8860 were repackaged in Technic boxes. In the US the name remained Expert Builder, it would not change to Technic until 1986.
In Europe the theme was given a new name - Technic. The new name was used for both advertising and on the boxes. In fact several of the earlier Technical sets, such as the 8848 and 8860 were repackaged in Technic boxes. In the US the name remained Expert Builder, it would not change to Technic until 1986.
The friction connector: In addition to the new 4.5 V elements, the friction connector was introduced. The friction connector allowed 2 beams to be joined with a very secure connection and was largely responsible for allowing the beams to be used not just as long Lego blocks, but truly as beams, in much the way a Meccano girder was used. In fact the connection was so tight that Lego gave instructions to make a tool to remove them. It has become one of the most important and widely used Technic elements.
1982 US ad: 119K
8050 Universal Set:
Lego has always produced specific model sets, but it wasn't until the advent of distinct themes in the late 1970s that this became the primary focus of Lego marketing. Rather, Lego produced generic sets that offered ideas for a wide variety of models, such as the classic 100 series sets of the early 1970's. The Universal Sets were the first generic Technic Set.
Lego has always produced specific model sets, but it wasn't until the advent of distinct themes in the late 1970s that this became the primary focus of Lego marketing. Rather, Lego produced generic sets that offered ideas for a wide variety of models, such as the classic 100 series sets of the early 1970's. The Universal Sets were the first generic Technic Set.
The 8050 set featured instructions for 6 different models and ideas for several more. It included a general variety of Technic elements, such as beams, gears, connectors, as well as the 4.5V motor introduced in 1977.
1982 introduced a new concept in Technic: Universal Building Sets. Every set up to this point included ideas or instructions for at least one alternate model, but these were the first sets for which there really was no main model, just a variety of instructions for a variety of models. This was also the first year that the term "Technic" was officially used on the packaging in Europe.
The sets came in three different sizes from small to large, and one set included an electric motor for the first time. Motors had previously been available in supplemental sets, but this was the first time one was included with a standard set. The small red set builds mostly vehicles with steering. The blue set builds similar models but adds a motor. The yellow set is quite large and also includes a single piston reciprocating engine and a differential gear.
The friction connector was also introduced this year. It is hard to believe that there was ever a time when Technic sets did not include this part. It is, without a doubt, the most numerous part in Technic history with some later sets including hundreds of copies! It would come to dominate the construction method of Technic beams, but this year was the first time it was seen.
The sets came in three different sizes from small to large, and one set included an electric motor for the first time. Motors had previously been available in supplemental sets, but this was the first time one was included with a standard set. The small red set builds mostly vehicles with steering. The blue set builds similar models but adds a motor. The yellow set is quite large and also includes a single piston reciprocating engine and a differential gear.
The friction connector was also introduced this year. It is hard to believe that there was ever a time when Technic sets did not include this part. It is, without a doubt, the most numerous part in Technic history with some later sets including hundreds of copies! It would come to dominate the construction method of Technic beams, but this year was the first time it was seen.
Parts:
Friction Pins
Perhaps the most ubiquitous of all Technic parts, the friction pin, was introduced this year. At first it may look just like a standard Technic pin, but there is an important difference. Standard pins rotate freely within the holes in beams, and are removed fairly easily. The friction pin has axial ridges along its length which make it fit snugly. So snugly, in fact, that it is extremely difficult to remove them. A later modification to this part would fix the problem, but early pins are notoriously difficult to remove without resorting to metal tools which damages the part. One solution is to make a tool as shown in the lower picture to push them out.
4.5V Motor
Also new for this year was the first motor actually included in a regular set. This motor runs on 4.5V using a battery box with 3 C-cell batteries in series. The motor is DC, so there is no incorrect way to hook up the wires; reversing the polarity simply reverses the direction. The motor output is a standard Technic axle form to accept gears, but it also has a slot in it which can drive a belt. The battery box is the same profile as the motor but much longer. There is also a three position switch (forward-off-reverse) which can be placed in series between the motor and the battery box.
The same motor was previously available in Supplemental Set 870, but with a different battery box. This motor was only ever included in Universal Sets and Supplemental Sets.
Perhaps the most ubiquitous of all Technic parts, the friction pin, was introduced this year. At first it may look just like a standard Technic pin, but there is an important difference. Standard pins rotate freely within the holes in beams, and are removed fairly easily. The friction pin has axial ridges along its length which make it fit snugly. So snugly, in fact, that it is extremely difficult to remove them. A later modification to this part would fix the problem, but early pins are notoriously difficult to remove without resorting to metal tools which damages the part. One solution is to make a tool as shown in the lower picture to push them out.
4.5V Motor
Also new for this year was the first motor actually included in a regular set. This motor runs on 4.5V using a battery box with 3 C-cell batteries in series. The motor is DC, so there is no incorrect way to hook up the wires; reversing the polarity simply reverses the direction. The motor output is a standard Technic axle form to accept gears, but it also has a slot in it which can drive a belt. The battery box is the same profile as the motor but much longer. There is also a three position switch (forward-off-reverse) which can be placed in series between the motor and the battery box.
The same motor was previously available in Supplemental Set 870, but with a different battery box. This motor was only ever included in Universal Sets and Supplemental Sets.
1982 sets:
By Isodomus and Technicopedia