Max took me back to my childhood in an instant. Space Lego in particular was my toy of choice for what seemed like years. Other toys may have got a look in but it was building numerous spacecraft variants from just the Galaxy Explorer set that I really remember - and it looks like I'm not the only one.
Couldn't resist showing you this, it's great:
I now understand that as a child it teaches you some great lessons. In fact, only now is it clear that the lessons apply to many areas; developing ideas, strategies, managing people...
Here are the ones that occurred to me today:
- Components come in two families; infrastructure and individual. The infrastructure delivers that which is necessary; the individual delivers that which is desirable. You need just enough infrastructure to keep the individual in place.
(In Space Lego terms, just enough plain blue 1x4 bricks to keep the yellow angled windows in place.)
- Following the instructions is enjoyable but it's more rewarding trying to produce something new; building things and breaking them, then keepnig the best groups of components.
(If you've found the optimum configuration for some hinging vehicle doors you're going to use it again and again.)
- ...which means that sometimes you don't have to design.
(All you have to do is to try bolting together the optimum components groups in a few different ways - you'll get something useable.)
- It's a training ground for creatively spotting synergies; bolting items together from different kits teaches you to try the less obvious.
(For example, you can stand Max on his tip toes...I'll leave you to figure out how.)
BTW, my daughter (aged 2 and three quarters) insisted on a Lego Woody figure (the informed Toy Story choice) and a pink brick for mum. I think it might be time to scour eBay and get her started on Classic Space; the only Lego that matters...
T
