Subject:
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The way we were: January, 1994
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.general
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Date:
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Thu, 22 May 2003 15:21:49 GMT
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I just read through the first month of postings to rec.toys.lego (January 1994)
and was amused and impressed by some of the things I read. There were many
"firsts" of discussions that seem to be ongoing up to the present. I thought
it might be entertaining and/or helpful to reminisce about some of the topics
discussed then. I would love it if someone with a greater ability to process
trends and a good editorial eye would take on the task of beginning to write
down the history of the online Lego community (more on this after the topic
list).
Selected topics discussed on r.t.l in January 1994:
a.t.l. and now r.t.l FAQ posted
A Lego-like CAD program made available to an old ftp archive
LIC at the Mall of America mentioned
"Legowars" mentioned - gaming with Lego bricks
Thread started in January 1994 was picked up again in 2000
Robotics/Lego Technic Controol Center discussed
Todd Lehman posts a marketing message (January 10)
Using Lego in education discussed
Discussion about the Legoland theme parks
Clone brand mentioned (January 11)
Sale a a major chain store mentioned
A WWW page concerning Lego is mentioned (subsequent discussion of what WWW is)
Lego and gender issue explored
Discussion about the specialization of pieces
Debate about the proper usage of the word "Lego" (lego's, legos, etc.)
Someone related a personal "Lego story"
Building a marble machine out of Lego (one of the few building discussions)
ASCII diagram of a simple Lego model posted
Inventory for a set posted (6835 Saucer Scout)
Debate about the merits of gluing your models
Discussion about coming up with a standard system for descibing parts
Fabuland mentioned - who says nobody discusses this theme ;)
(themes heavily mentioned during this time are Technic, Trains, Pirates)
Lego animation mentioned
Lego and violence talked about
Thread concerning adults playing with Lego
earthsea.standford.edu ftp site heavily mentioned...would love to have access
to some of the files that were once posted there...did anyone save any of this
stuff???
Enfield, CT plant tour report given...lots of good info
local mailing list for SF bay area group started, first LUG formed from online?
Estimate of the number of unique parts TLG makes posted
_World of Lego Toys_ book mentioned
Dik Winter's posting of known Lego sets
A "what is this part" type post
A post describing meeting a Lego rep at a toy store
A discussion of custom manufactured bricks/bulk brinks
Some people from back then that I recognize on LUGNET now:
Todd Lehman (who had 235 minifigures and 45 baseplates at the time - he's
probably up to at least 250 minifigs by now)
Calum Tsang
Paul Gyugyi
Jason Mantor
Lorbaat (Eric Joslin, is this you?)
I propose these people have a dinosaur icon next to their names in the
web-interface when they post from now on (j/k).
As this list reveals, a lot of the things that are discussion fodder today hve
been talked about since the beginning of r.t.l. Also, I think it's interesting
that the level of discussion was quite sophisticated and contained a lot of
valuable information, especially considering the newness of this board.
Concerning writing a history of the online Lego community...I think it's
important to see how it has evolved. It's a shame to me that r.t.l and all it
offered may be disappearing into the depths of time. Even significant
discussions and developments that occur on LUGNET get lost. I know that it is
all archived...but an edited list of the really significant moments would be
invaluable to newcomers and long-timers alike. I'd like to see a history of
"legowars" and its fate described on the LUGNET gaming sidebar, for instance.
(OK, I see Frank Filz has done this already ;) What about the discussion of
the Enfield factory? I realize things have changed probably since then, but
it's a really interesting report. What else is significant on this list of
topics? What happened in 1995 that really stood out, what about 1999?
With LUGNET, maybe the spotlight feature could be used to highlight the "top
100" posts of all time...
Anyway...just thought this topic list from r.t.l might be entertaining.
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Message has 3 Replies:
 | | Re: The way we were: January, 1994
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| (...) Interesting topic. (...) ... (...) I think I first posted to rtl in 1995, although possibly 1996. (Would that mean I should have a mastadon icon?) That was my first realization that I was not alone in my hobby. I was fascinated that so many (...) (21 years ago, 22-May-03, to lugnet.general)
| | | Re: The way we were: January, 1994
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| (...) That would make for some nice history of the online LEGO world. One question- where did you find posts so old? We're talking nine years plus there! It would be a real kick to get a look at this very early stuff. (...) It's funny how one looks (...) (21 years ago, 26-May-03, to lugnet.general)
| | | Re: The way we were: January, 1994
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| (...) FYI, I did something like that for a short while in 1996. So it's more a sorted and annoteted snapshot than a history. See the 'Quotes' section of LEGO on my Mind, (URL) like your idea though. The good thing is, thanks to the internet's 'own (...) (21 years ago, 27-May-03, to lugnet.general)
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