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Lego Technic 1998

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Category: Technic history 1990s
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Mindstorms
1998 EU Technic catalog
No less than 25 new sets were released. These included quite a few small sets including a Shell promotional set and a series of 6 "micro" sets that were available only in Europe, several medium sets, such as the 8417 Mag Wheel Master and large, electronic sets such as the 8483 Cybermaster and 9719 Mindstorms set.
There were quite a few new elements released, including the corrugated tubes, new low profile tires, the spring loaded cannon and projectile, as well as the Cybermaster and Mindstorms electronics.
Cyber Slam
Cyber Slam: A new theme, marketed as Cyber Slam in North America or Competition in Europe, was the first Technic theme since the Arctic Action Sets more than a decade ago. The new theme involved robot-like models that could fight each other, typically with spring loaded projectiles that would strike an opposing target and cause an action figure to spring off the model. The initial series consisted of 4 sets with 2 more released in 1999. The theme is an example of the move away from construction based to activity based sets.
Mindstorms RIS 1.0
Mindstorms: 1998 also saw the release of Mindstorms, the first fully programmable Lego sets. The history of Mindstorms begins in 1989 when Lego began to fund a chair for learning research at the MIT Media Lab. One of these projects was a programmable interface for Lego robots - the Programmable Brick. Lego took much of this technology and developed a commercial product, the RCX.
The 9719 Robotic Invention System, the first Mindstorms set, was released in the Fall of 1998, Although they were clearly Technic sets, Mindstorms was marketed as a separate product line and given 97xx series set numbers. The RIS was soon followed by 2 expansion sets. Lego underestimated demand and the initial 80,000 sets were sold out well before Christmas.
US patent 6,461,215
The corrugated tube: The corrugated tube was a flexible tube molded out of soft plastic with a uniformly grooved cross section and perpendicularly cut ends. The inside diameter of the tube allowed a connector peg, cross axle or Lego stud or similarly shaped element to snugly fit by friction. This allowed the tube to be connected at both ends and assume various shapes, including curves. Also because the tubes were uniform it was relatively easy to cut them to the desired length.
This element is a good example of the new decorative elements and, along with the flexible cross axles released in 1999, represent a new class of elements that could mimic the outline of a curve. They would both be widely used in Technic construction.
The RCX in situ
The RCX: The programmable interface, marketed as the RCX, was easily the most complicated device that Lego had ever produced. It consisted of a housing with an LCD panel, several buttons, a speaker and 6 9V electrical connections, 3 serving as inputs and 3 serving as outputs. Inside was a battery holder and PCB with an Hitachi H8 microprocessor and 32K of RAM, The device could accept information from sensors attached to the inputs and execute programs created by the user, causing it to perform various actions.
The programming for the RCX was done on a computer using an updated graphical version of Lego's Logo programming language. These programs were then downloaded to the RCX by an IR transmitter and stored in RAM on the RCX.
The RCX put Lego in the unusual position of being a computer hardware and software developer, so when the hobbyists reverse engineered the electronics and published software tools, Lego wisely released the SDK's. It was this step, perhaps more than any other, that resulted in a successful product line
9719 Robotic Invention System:The first of the Mindstorms sets, the 9719 Robotic Invention System v1.0, included the RCX, the IR transmitter, 2 motors, 2 touch sensors, a light sensor as well as a number of conducting leads, even a PC serial interface cable. The manual, called a 'Constructopedia' included typical construction techniques and the software included several simple projects.
In many ways the RIS was a return to the Universal sets of the 1970's, rather then present elaborate models the set offered only partial models and suggestions. It was up to the user to design and build their own models.

1998 was a transitional year for Technic.  With 21 sets, it set a new record for the greatest number of sets in any year.  However, these sets were less focused.  In addition to the traditionally delineated 3 Tech Play sets and 3 Tech Build sets, another 15 sets were part of whole new series which attempted to expand Technic into new markets.  While the desire to expand beyond teenage males and traditional vehicles was understandable, the expansion and corresponding lack of focus became an increasing problem in subsequent years as Technic gradually lost its way until a business crisis forced a new strategy.

The first and most prominent new category of models was called Competition.  Unlike traditional Technic, these models were not based on any real life equipment but instead focused on competitive play.  Most sets came with two models which could be pitted against each other in mock battles, and typically also included Technic figures.  5 competition sets were released this year.

An additional 9 sets were part of a new Micro category.  These are tiny models (<50 parts) with little to no functionality aimed at younger builders.  While they are certainly simpler to build, they also lack any of the functional intricacy which appeals to most Technic builders.

Not represented on this site are two more evolutions of the Technic theme started this year worth mention.  Cybermaster was a short lived programmable system using Technic parts.  Likewise, Mindstorms began this year as a full-fledged programmable robotics system.

The Competition line made heavy use of the new colors purple and turquoise .  Two of the Tech Build models were primarily blue, a previously rare color, and all 3 used turquoise seats.  All 3 Tech Build models also used the new deep dish silver years which were never used in another model again.

The last way in which this year was transitional was in the further evolution from studded to studless building.  Many new studless parts were introduced which moved the building system further in that direction.

Parts:
Ribbed Hose
Building on the idea on using flexible pneumatic tubing as a decorative element, flexible ribbed hose was introduced.  It serves the same purpose but is more prominent with a larger diameter.  In early sets, the hose had to be cut to length by the builder.

Beams and Liftarms
The studless system was expanded significantly.  A 6L and 7L thin beam were added to compliment the existing 5L.  The 6L remains the only even length studless part.  There was also a 3x3 L shaped corner liftarm.

A strangle thick liftarm with a joggle was released.  It was used in two sets this year and then never seen again.

Miscellaneous

  • A 2L brick was introduced with an axle hole instead of a pin hole which allowed axles to be structurally locked.
  • Since the angle connectors had been introduced a year earlier, the toothed bushing and toggle joint were no longer needed and were therefore replaced with smooth versions this year.
  • Finally a "knob wheel" was introduced (shown in yellow).  This serves the function of a 4 tooth gear but has the advantage of being usable as both a spur gear and a bevel gear.  Additionally, it is very easy to engage and disengage which is useful in mechanisms which need to decouple.  It pays for this increased versatility with decreased efficiency and extra friction.

Competition and Suspension
The Competition Cannon is a spring loaded canister with a rubber tipped projectile.  I can only imagine the arguments between the part developers and the lawyers as they tried to develop a firing weapon that was not too dangerous.  They made it quite difficult to disassemble so that children (like me) who wanted to take it apart and put in a stronger spring would be thwarted.

Suspension
A new type of suspension part was introduced which included a steerable control arm and a support bracket.  With only two parts, this was quite easy to assemble for younger builders.  The flat tab on the top of the gray part slides into a slot on the black part, then locks in place once rotated.  Although very simple, these parts were used on some very large models including this year's flagship.

Wheels and Tires
A new type of very unusual futuristic wheels and tires were introduced this year and then never used again.  All of the Tech Build models this year used them.  The wheels have 3 spokes and are painted a metallic silver.  The tires are NOT pneumatic.  They are very low profile solid rubber strips which are quite difficult to assemble and take apart.  It is presumably this last fact that lead to their short tenure in the Technic line.  The advantage of the solid rubber is that these tires can support very heavy loads without deforming and therefore have low rolling resistance.


1998 sets:

By Isodomus and Technicopedia