Gizmodo: Legos

Question of the Day: Do You Say "Lego" or "Legos?"

Sean Fallon — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 16:50:00 EDT

We desperately need you to settle an ongoing debate for us. When you refer to everyone's favorite plastic brick building blocks in the plural form, do you say "Lego" or "Legos?" Lego is technically the correct term—but it sounds weird. I mean "I would like a box of Lego for Christmas" vs. "I would like a box of Legos for Christmas." Words used in the English language that are the same in both the singular and plural form are always awkward—but dammit, this one is important. So we must ask: do you say "Lego" or "Legos?"

Lego-Built Wall-E: It Was Only a Matter of Time

Sean Fallon — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:10:00 EDT

It was only a matter of time before someone decided to tackle a Lego version of Disney-Pixar's cute little cash cow Wall-E. After a three month planning session, Joe Meno, editor of BrickJournal magazine, managed to get the job done. The result is a very impressive model that features a moving neck and arms along with rolling treads. Hit the Flickr gallery for the full set of photos. [Flickr via Brothers Brick]

UM-5 War Doll Lego Mecha Pops Open To Reveal Pilot Cockpit

Adrian Covert — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 21:31:51 EDT

Lego enthusiast Brian Kescenovitz created a Lego mecha with a hatch mechanism that reveals a pilot in the cockpit. Called the UM-5 War Doll, it's inspired by the VS suits from the game Lost Planet, but I can't help but think of MechWarrior. Best Lego mecha ever, right? [Monday Noodle's Lego Pages via Brothers Brick]

Artist Repairs Walls In Italy With Lego Bricks

Elaine Chow — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 13:00:00 EDT

In an art stunt that Jesus is sure to love, artist and lego enthusiast Jan Vormann went around the quiet little town of Bocchignano, Italy filling its decrepit walls with lego pieces.

The work was done as part of an Italian group project “20 Eventi.” A group of artists developed projects in the Sabina region to create a open-air museum that spans four villages. [Boing Boing]

Question of the Day: Do You Still Play With Toys?

Sean Fallon — Fri, 16 May 2008 19:40:00 EDT

After diving into the disastrous effects having a toy collection can have on the love life of a grown man, I feel compelled to ask: are you an adult that still plays with toys? And, just to be clear, when I say "toys" I am referring to products normally reserved for children—like action figures and legos. If you do, make sure to list your favorites in the comments.

World's Tallest Lego Tower Reaches 100-Foot Mark

Sean Fallon — Tue, 06 May 2008 18:30:00 EDT

Once again, the record for the world's largest Lego tower has fallen. Last year, the Lego bricks towered 96 feet over Toronto. This year, in celebration of Lego's 50th anniversary, participants at Legoland in Windsor, UK built a tower resembling a Viking longboat mast that managed to hit the 100 foot mark using 500,000 bricks. Hitting the 100 foot mark is definitely a fitting way to celebrate the 50th anniversary—but I can't help but wonder how high they can go next year. [Metro and Daily Mail]

The Stackable, Smackable Lego Desktop Calendar

Sean Fallon — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 19:30:00 EDT

Ok, it may not be an officially licensed product, but the term Lego-esque certainly applies to this desktop calendar. In true Lego style, the sections can be stacked and configured into any pattern you choose—and changing the date is as simple as smacking the top of each brick. And we all know that relieving some stress by smacking something at the office can be good thing...except when it is a face and/or ass. Available for around $27 US. [Early Adopter via TFTS via Uberreview]

Lego Iron Man Must Be Seen to Be Believed

Sean Fallon — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 19:40:42 EST

A masterful Lego builder that goes by the name of Arvo is the man responsible for this unbelievably awesome Iron Man figure. And with results like that, the dude doesn't even need a last name. Just whispering "Arvo" will get grab the attention of geeks the world over. Damn I wish there were more pictures. Apparently Arvo likes to slowly add them to increase the suspense. [Arvo's Brickshelf Gallery via Brothers Brick via Neatorama]

Lego Master Working on 100,000 Piece, 21-Foot Battleship Yamato Model

Adam Frucci — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 10:45:00 EST

Japanese Lego builder Jun Brick (think that's his real name?) has been hard at work at a 1:40 model of the famous Battleship Yamato for over a year. This gargantuan model puts the Millennium Falcon to shame, stretching out for over 20 feet and using a whopping 100,000 pieces. He posts a metric ton of photos on his site as he works on it, giving us a really cool look at each step of the process and just how much work goes into building a model of this size. Impressive, to say the least.
[Jun Brick via Boing Boing Gadgets]

Happy 75th Birthday, Lego!

Mark Wilson — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 10:20:51 EDT

Today, Lego turns a ripe old age of 75. Founded in 1932 by carpenter Ole Kirk Christiansen from Billund, Denmark, the company made wooden toys. The trademark name didn't come until 1934, inspired from the Danish words "leg godt" (play well), and it wasn't until 1949 that Lego began producing their now-famous interlocking bricks.

The design finalized in 1958 and it took another five years to find proper materials to produce the blocks. So even though Legos are one of those "why didn't I think of that" ideas, creating the actual product was a painstaking process. Luckily that process will pay off for generations to come.

Ahh, Legos. I actually have none in my home at the moment, despite a plethora of other adult adolescent gear. Maybe it's a good day for a run to the store. [earthtimes via neatorama]

Pokemon Legos Make Dialga and Palkia Even Awesomer

Jason Chen — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 14:00:20 EDT

Mega Bloks may not be as cool as LEGOs, but do LEGOs form together and build Dialga and Palkia, the two legendary Pokemon from the two newest Pokemon games? We think not.

Not only can you form these creatures and wreak havok on time and space (we forget which is which), there are a few other little blocks with faces of various other Pokemon on there as well. We'll save our dignity by pretending we don't know the names of all of them. $43 each.

Product Page [Mega Channel via Kotaku]

Gallery: 10 Coolest Lego Weapons to Slay the Easter Bunny With

Matt Buchanan — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 14:30:45 EDT

Big or small, functional or not, modern or medieval, we didn't care. If it was somehow constructed with Legos, and looked like it was capable of taking down a three-foot rabbit weighed down by Easter baskets, we grabbed it. Rabbits that large are a menace to society and need to be taken out. Some actually shoot rubber bands (or fire), which makes them even better for whipping up a little rabbit stew.

What'd we miss? And what's in your Easter basket?

– Matt Buchanan

Inspired by Flickr via Dethroner

The Massively Multiplayer Online Lego Game!

Jason Chen — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 17:10:46 EST

This is a bit Kotaku-y, but hell, we think 99.99% of Gizmodo readers love legos, so we're bringing this to you anyway. Apparently, NetDevil is going to develop a massively multiplayer online game based on Legos.

Imagine Second Life, but instead of being shitty, scammy, and filled with graphics from 1998 it's actually fun! You could theoretically build your own houses, castles, cars, helicopters, and Bat Caves out of Legos! Awesome! Exclamation marks galore! – Jason Chen

Lego MMO Revealed [Kotaku]

Nutrition-Free Kellogg's Lego Fruit Flavored Snacks, Lego Logo and All

Charlie White — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 11:35:30 EST

Judging from the overwhelming interest in anything we post about Lego, we're thinking that some of the visitors to the Giz love Lego so much they want to put them in their mouths, and probably do from time to time.

Now here's your chance to do that without that pesky choking hazard. Kellogg's comes to the rescue with Lego Fruit Flavored Snacks, which contain no nutritional value whatsoever and may not even be food as we know it.

They're probably a part of the Gummy Bears food group. But never mind all that nutri-nagging. They're Lego, folks, it says on the box that they're fun, and they have a Lego logo on there, too. Eat 'em up! – Charlie White

Product page [Kellogg's, via Oh Gizmo]

Lego Belt: We're Warning You

Charlie White — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 16:00:00 EST

If you ever, ever want to get laid again, don't wear this $20 belt. Just don't. You've been warned.

Oh, it's for girls? That's different. Never mind. – Charlie White

Geek Couture: The Lego Belt [Uber-Review]

Old School Beer-Opening Lego Device

Travis Hudson — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 16:30:48 EST

Now this is one hell of a Lego mechanical device. None of that new-school, open-source Mindstorms nonsense here. This is straight up mechanical Legos capable of opening a beer bottle with ease. It may be a bit slower than traditional beer-opening methods, but it is a hell of a lot cooler. – Travis Hudson

NeonClick Sign Snaps Together Like Legos

Charlie White — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 16:54:03 EST

Here's a simplified way to snap yourself together a quick neon sign. Connect the first module to the $30 power supply, and string together whatever catchy phrase you wish in your choice of pink, green or blue letters or numbers.

The result appears to be a bit crude, but then we know you can make up for that with your scintillating witticisms, spelled out in bright lights for all to see. – Charlie White

Neonclick — Lego-Like Neon Sign [The Future of Things, via New Launches]

Dealzmodo: LaCie Brick 300GB External Hard Drive, $110

Travis Hudson — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 12:31:39 EDT

There isn't anything cooler than Legos, am I right? We've known about LaCie's Brick Hard Drives Enclosures for quite some time now. Buy.com has a 300GB LaCie Brick external hard drive for $120 after $40 of instant savings. Use Google Checkout to pay to receive an addition $10 off. Shipping is free. You'll be the envy of everyone in the office (or your kids) with this external HDD. – Travis Hudson

Product Page [Via Dealhack]

PicoCricket: Everything to do with Legos, Nothing to do with Crickets

Mark Wilson — Sat, 26 Aug 2006 14:00:31 EDT

PicoCricket is the new product of the LEGO-MIT collaboration that produced MINDSTORMS. We are happy to see the companies getting away from the use of ALL CAPS in their marketing. The PicoCricket looks alright, too.

The PicoCricket itself is a programmable computer that controls various LEGO peripherals to enable artistic expression through light, sound, music and motion. LEGO gives the example of programming a cat to purr when someone touches it. We give the example of programming said cat's eyes to turn red with fury when someone touches it. That's why they call it art.

The kit includes a motor, speaker, lights and sensors (touch, motion, sound, light and resistance). Bundled software is PC/Mac compatible and communicates via USB. Runs $250. Thanks Mitchel!
– Mark Wilson

Product Page

Classic 1984 Themed Apple Commercial Lego Set

Travis Hudson — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 13:00:48 EDT

The masterminds at PodBrix have done it again. They have built a 1984 Lego Playset themed from that Apple Commercial where the Macintosh was introduced to the world. Yes, it is that one where that semi-hot broad tosses the hammer into the screen. If you still don't know which one I'm talking about it can be seen here.

There are only 100 units of this limited edition playset available. The Lego playset will go on sale tonight at 9:00pm eastern for $198.99 each. Well worth it for any old school Apple fan. – Travis Hudson

Product Page [PodBrix]

Top 10 Coolest Lego Gadgets

Jason Chen — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 20:15:41 EDT

When we were kids, during the transition from the age of pushing a can with a stick to the age of home entertainment consoles like the Nintendo, Legos were one of the things that everyone could love. Here's 10 of the coolest Lego structures built by adults that never grew up—or couldn't, due to the childhood trauma of seeing their dog tear the crap out of their rabbit's neck. There, there Mr. Fluffers, it'll be all right. Let's just put this red stuff back inside you. – Jason Chen

Top 10 Coolest Lego Gadgets [TechEBlog]

Lego GSR Sensor

Travis Hudson — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 15:46:00 EST

This simple Galvanic Skin Response (or lie detector, in layman's terms) is made out of Lego motor wire and aluminum foil. It determines the electrical resistance of your fingers by measuring how relaxed and dry your fingers are.

I was inspired by talks by Mindfest panelists Karen Wilkinson and Mike Petrich who talked about using this type of sensor. I've also found out that the Media Lab at MIT has a program called the Affective Computing Research Project that also uses this sensor.

So you re saying that if I go to MIT I get to play with Legos? Sign me up!

Galvanic Skin Response Sensor [Via Medgadget]

Power User - The Best of Lifehacker

Gina Trapani — Wed, 08 Feb 2006 12:30:00 EST

This week at Lifehacker: Watch a video demo of an iPod running Linux. Still required to use IE at work? Have some strategies for surviving IT lockdown at the office. Build an Lego iPod dock. Turn your PSP into a universal remote capable of controlling over 1,800 devices. Automatically defrag your hard drive, reboot your PC or start up Firefox with all your favorites opened in tabs with Windows Scheduled Tasks. Finally, massage your LCD's stuck pixels right out.

Lego Orrery

Travis Hudson — Thu, 26 Jan 2006 09:21:59 EST

Want to know why the sun is non-existant in Alaska? Let Legos help you out. One kind father created this model to help explain why there is very little sunlight in Alaska during the winter. There is no attempt to make the size, distance, or orbit periods correct, but it is cool beans nonetheless.

Lego Orrery Picture [Via Nextbrick]

Lego Pinhole Camera

Travis Hudson — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 13:00:00 EST

It seems that we here at Gizmodo have gone into some kind of Lego frenzy. Maybe we are just finally realizing the coolness of what people can do with Legos. This is a total conversion of a medium-format pinhole camera. It uses all Lego parts and is fully functional. This guy seems to have a bit more of a Lego fetish than we do—he also did a complete Lego conversion of a Polariod 95a camera. Check out the linkage for full instructions and more pictures.

Medium Format Pinhole Lego Camera [Found Photography]