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Archive-name: LEGO-faq
Last-modified: Jun 19, 2000
Url: http://www.multicon.de/fun/legofaq.html
This is the FAQ for the rec.toys.lego newsgroup
This page is in NEITHER affiliated with NOR sponsored by the LEGO
company.
I compiled it from information in postings, email contributions and
catalogues. Providers of larger pieces of information are mentioned.
Please feel free to mail me corrections and contributions. I do not
work for the LEGO company. The usual FAQ disclaimers apply.
All trademarks and tradenames are the property of their respective
owners. LEGO, DUPLO, TOOLO, LEGO SYSTEM are trademarks of the LEGO
Group.
Please include the word LEGO somewhere in the Subject-line of email.
Tom Pfeifer
e-mail: pfeifer@multicon.de
phone (Germany) +49-30-3463-7288
*** Last-modified: Jun 19, 2000
*** New since last version
Legoland park California Openings 2000
Legoland parks Billund, Windsor: 2000
Bulk orders
new comment about plural of LEGO
*** Recent updates:
German Address changed
Profit section updated
minor corrections, phone numbers, etc.
*** Since Jan 30, 1996 The LEGO company has its own www-server:
http://www.lego.com/
The charter of this group:
To provide a forum for the discussion of all things and experiences
relating to the LEGO(tm), DUPLO(tm) and compatible construction toys.
Including interesting models that one has built, experiences one has
had using LEGO, or questions about how to build particular components.
Contents:
1. Addresses, Phone numbers, Mail order, Clubs
2. Books, papers, videos about LEGO
3. Bulk orders, Price comparison & profits
4. LegoLand theme parks
5. Large displays / play rooms
6. Computer connections and DACTA
7. Plural of LEGO
8. LEGO advertising
9. How to wash LEGO pieces
10. Storing / sorting / using LEGO
11. Taking pieces apart
12. LEGO history / What does LEGO mean
13. Material, Technology and Measurements
14. Nice quotations
15. FTP and WWW sites, further references
16. Substitutes / compatibles / clones
Subject: 1) International addresses, Phone numbers, Mail order, Clubs
Please mail any changes of numbers to the editor of this faq.
See also http://www.lego.com/info/addresses/default.asp
Mail order:
USA: see Shop at Home 1
and Lego Imagination Center
Canada: see Shop at Home 2
Europe: Ask your local service department for the
"LEGO Service catalog of spare parts"
From Denmark: This department store might send you something
(Jeffrey T. Crites (crites@cc.purdue.edu) has computerized
their price list):
Magasin Du Nord
13, Kongens Nytorv
DK-1095 Copenhagen K
Denmark
AUSTRALIA
LEGO Australia P/L.
P.O. Box 639
Lane Cove; N.S.W. 2066
AUSTRIA
LEGO Handelsgesellschaft mbH.
Consumer Service
Albert-Schweitzer-Gasse 11
A-1147 Wien
BELGIUM / LUXEMBOURG / NETHERLANDS
LEGO Benelux
Postbus 9311
NL- 4801 LH Breda
phone: 076-5731100
phone: 076-5731122
CANADA
LEGO Canada Inc.
331 Amber Street
Markham, Ontario
Canada L3R 3J7
Tel. (905) 887-9046 (General information)
or (905) 887-5346
Tel. (416) 940-6600
Fax (416) 940-0745
Toll-Free 1-800-387-4387 (Dacta)
Shop@Home Canada
P.O. Box 3700
Markham, ON
L3R 6G9
1-800-267-5346 , Extensions:
-222 (S@H), -111 (request a catalogue), -444 (Consumer
Affairs)
The S@H hours are M-F 8:30-4:30 ET.
LEGO Club (newsletter, catalog information, etc.)
P.O. Box 3700
Markham
Ontario, L3R 6G9
Banbury Cross, Winnipeg, Dacta authorized distributor:
1-800-665-0090
DENMARK
LEGO A/S
DK-7190 Billund
Phone +45 - 75 35 11 88
Fax +45 - 75 35 33 60
LegoLand Billund
Phone +45 - 75 33 13 33
Fax +45 - 75 35 31 79
FINLAND
Oy Suomen LEGO Pb
PL 42; 02701 Kauniainen
or:
Oy Suomen LEGO Ab
PL 46; 02631 Espoo
Puh.: 90-520 533
FRANCE
LEGO France S.A., Service Pičces de Rechange
B.P. 837, F-28011 CHARTRES Cédex.
Tél.: +33 - 237 91 85 00
Fax.: +33 - 237 35 57 56
DACTA
1 rue Charles Coulomb
Fax.: +33 - 237 34 17 92
GERMANY
LEGO GmbH
Martin-Kollar-Strasse 17
D-81829 München
Deutschland
Tel. +49 089/4534 60
Fax +49 089/4534 6140
(old) Service: Regina
(old) 24594 Hohenwestedt/Holstein
(old) Tel. +49- 4871-29-0
GREECE
N. Kouvalias S.A.
25, El. Venizelou Ave.
GR-17671 Kallithea
HUNGARY
LEGO Hungária KFT
1027 Budapest
Tölgyfa utca 28
ITALY
LEGO S.p.A.
Servizio Consumatori
Via Colombo, 12
20020 Lainate (MI)
Tel. 02/93 74 581
NETHERLANDS, The
LEGO Nederland B.V. [reported to be expired]
new: "LEGO BENELUX"
NEW ZEALAND
LEGO New Zealand Ltd,
PO Box 62-160; Mt Wellington
Auckland 6
New Zealand
Phone +64 +9 276 1405
Fax +64 +9 276 1526
NORWAY
A/S LEGO System Norge
Postboks 66
N-1301 Sandvika
or: Postboks 38
1314 Skui
Telefon: 67131600
PORTUGAL
LEGO, Lda.
Largo Joao Vaz. 9-A/B/C/D
1700 Lisboa
Tel.: (01) 847 33 41
SPAIN
LEGO, S.A.
Apartado 500
28850 Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid)
SOUTH AFRICA
LEGO South Africa (Pty.) Limited
P.O Box 5856
1685 Halfway House
Tel.: (+27 11) 314-3825
SWEDEN
Svenska LEGO AB
Fack; S-443 01 Lerum 1
or: Box 304; S-443 27 LERUM
Tel: 0302-229 60
SWITZERLAND
LEGO Spielwaren AG / LEGO Jouets SA / LEGO Giacattoli SA
Neuhofstrasse 21
CH-6340 Baar
Tel: 042/33 44 66
UNITED KINGDOM and IRELAND
LEGO U.K. Ltd., (including club)
Ruthin Road,
Wrexham,
Clwyd LL13 7TQ
Consumer Service - 01978 296 247
LEGO Club - 01978 296 290
LEGO Technic Club - 01978 296 251
Service, spare parts - 01978 296 233
Retailer Queries - 01978 296 224
LEGO (UK) Ltd Main Fax - 01978 296 296
LEGO (UK) Ltd Main No. - 01978 290 900
DACTA Order line - 01978 296 289
DACTA (from 1995 Catal.)- 01978 296 239
DACTA Customer service - 01978 296 293
DACTA freefax Order line- 0 800 317 673
LEGOLAND Windsor Park Ltd.
(for visitor information and booking look in respective section)
Windsor, Berkshire SL4 4AY
Tel: (+44) 1753 626111
Fax: (+44) 1753 626119
The LEGO club costs 3.95 pounds (4.50 pounds for Ireland). They
need: name, address, post code, sex, date of birth. Cheques
made payable to 'LEGO U.K. Ltd' or credit card.
UNITED STATES
LEGO Systems, Inc.
555 Taylor Road
P.O. Box 1600
Enfield, CT, 06083-1600
1-800-243 4870
LEGO Systems, Inc.
Consumer Affairs
P.O. Box 1138
Enfield, CT 06083
1-800-422-5346 (9am-9pm Mon-Fri Eastern time, pseudonym
"Susan Williams")
(860) 749-2291
as listed in the Thomas Register
Enfield, CT 06082-3298 USA
(Children's Building Sets, Scientific Models)
LEGO Shop at Home Service
P.O. Box 1310
Enfield, CT 06083
Tel.(860) 763-4011, -4012, and -6800 (8:00 - 8:00 EST)
1-800-835-4386
1-800-453-4652
(catalog available, no charge for shipping, 3-5 weeks for
delivery)
Lego Imagination Centers (reported to do phone orders)
Lego Imagination Center
Mall of America
Bloomington, MN 55431
1-612-858-8949
Lego Imagination Center
Orlando, FL
1-407-828-0065
LEGO Builders Club
PO Box 5000
Unionville, CT 06087-5000
(one year $7.95, two years $14.00; membership kit and
free bonus mini set, birthday mailing, Mania magazine,
...)
LEGO Dacta
555 Taylor Road
P.O. Box 1600
Enfield, CT 06083-1600
orders and info: 1-(800)-527-8339
1-(860)-745-1730
fax: 1-(860)-763-2466
semi-official email: LegoDacta@aol.com
(Dan, for product info, no orders)
Subject: 2) Books, papers, videos about LEGO
See also: Facts and Figures, listed below in the WWW section.
The World of LEGO Toys
Henry Wiencek
Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Publishers, New York
Times Mirror Books
TS2301.T7W474 1987 688.7'2 86-23200
ISBN 0-8109-1790-4 (hardcover)
ISBN 0-8109-2362-9 (paperback)
Where does it come from? LEGO brick.
Text and editing: Kathy Henderson
illustrated by Diane Tippell
Art Director: Debbie MacKinnon
22 pages, fully illustrated in full color
Morristown, NJ: Silver Burdett, 1986.
Library of Congress: TS2301.T7T525 1986
Dewey: 688.7'2
ISBN: 0-382-09362-3
The book traces the manufacture of Lego bricks all the way from
the sucking of oil out of the earth to the placing of the
finished bricks in the hands of children. While this edition is
supposedly "adapted" for the United States market, it still has
a definite British feel to it. Type is large and writing is
simple enough for seven-year-olds. A delightful, if not deep,
the book does the job for its intended audience. (Wes Loder
(MWL2@psuvm.psu.edu))
The Epistemology and Learning Group at the MIT Media Laboratory, has
made some of their papers and publications available via anonymous FTP
from cherupakha.media.mit.edu:/pub/el-publications/EL-Memos. Some
papers of interest to the LEGO community are:
/pub/el-publications/Theses/Martin/, Apr 29, 1994
"From Circuits to Control: Learning Engineering by Designing
LEGO Robots"
by Fred Martin
memo13.PS.Z
memo13.tar.Z
memo13cvr.PS
"BRAITENBERG CREATURES"
by David W. Hogg, Fred Martin, and Mitchel Resnick
This paper describes 12 autonomous ``creatures'' built with
Electronic Bricks. Electronic Bricks are specially-modified
LEGO bricks with simple electronic circuits inside. Although
each Electronic Brick is quite simple, the bricks can be
combined to form robotic creatures with interesting and complex
behaviors, similar to the fictional machines described in
Valentino Braitenberg's book Vehicles (1984).
memo10.PS.Z
memo10.hqx
"CHILDREN AND ARTIFICIAL LIFE"
by Mitchel Resnick and Fred Martin
Artificial Life is a new field in which researchers study
living systems by trying to build artificial versions of them.
In this paper, we argue that ideas from Artificial Life
research can and should be shared with children. We describe
various computational tools (including LEGO/Logo and Electronic
Bricks) that students can use to build artificial creatures. By
building and programming artificial creatures (and discussing
and thinking about how the creatures behave), children can
explore some of the central ideas of Artificial Life -- ideas
like feedback, levels of organization, and emergence.
memo8.PS.Z
memo8.hqx
"LEGO/LOGO: LEARNING THROUGH AND ABOUT DESIGN"
by Mitchel Resnick and Stephen Ocko, September 1990
Most classroom problem-solving activities focus on analytic
thinking: decomposing problems into subproblems. Students
rarely get the opportunity to design and invent things. In this
paper, we describe how LEGO/Logo, a computer-based robotics
environment, supports a variety of design activities. We
examine how students using LEGO/Logo can learn important
mathematical and scientific ideas through their design
activities, while also learning about the design process
itself.
Israel Shenker
Playing with blocks can be a fine art at this theme park. in:
Smithsonian magazine v. 19, June 1988, p. 120-4+
A video is available from Enfield, CT called "How Lego Bricks Are
Made". It runs 12-15 min and takes the viewer through the various
production and packaging stages. It also talks briefly about the
design and manufacture of the molds or "tools". Unfortunately it does
not dwell at all on things like how sets are designed, how themes are
chosen, etc. Nonetheless it's informative and well worth the slight
hassle of getting one's hands on it.
You can "check the video out" by sending a $20 check made out to LEGO
Systems, Inc. to:
Ms. B. St. Pierre, Lego Systems, Inc., P.O. Box 1138, Enfield, CT
06083
You can keep the video for two weeks and upon its return LEGO will
mail back your original check. Simple. --- Mario (marpi0591@aol.com)
marpi0591@aol.com
Subject: 3) Bulk orders, Price comparison & profits
Since 2000, LEGO offers a limited assortment of LEGO elements in bulk
through LEGO Shop At Home. See http://www.lego.com/bulk/.
The profits of the company are falling in the last years. Reasons are
weaker demand due to interest in computer-based toys and video games.
LEGO itself was a bit late with their computer development.
LEGO will cut 1000 jobs of its 10000 employees worldwide. Half of the
workforce is based in Denmark. They will focus also on opening more
theme parks worldwide, in addition to Billund, Windsor, Carlsbad.
LEGO, privately owned by the Kristiansen family, claims not to have
had a loss since it was founded. Look at the optimistic photograph of
CEO Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen.
1992 1996 1997
Sales US$ 1000M US$ 1200M US$ 1200M
Profits US$ 100M US$ 78M US$ 10M
or in DKK:
Sales DKK 7600M DKK 7600M
Profits DKK 470M DKK 62M
Somebody calculated the price per piece in the 'old days' as $0.10.
Today it may be between $0.10 and $0.30. Count, calculate and mail me
(Tom) your comments.
LegoLand, Billund, Denmark is reported to sell at list prices, no
factory discounts.
Subject: 4) LegoLand theme park
See also http://www.lego.com/legofinder/legoland.asp
Billund, Denmark, Europe:
since 1968
Billund is in Jylland (Jutland), a town of only just over 4500 people
somewhere between Esbjerg (65 km) and Vejle (35 km).
Tel. +45 - 7533 1333, Fax +45 - 7535 3179
LEGOLAND Park, Nordmarksvej 9, DK-7190 Billund
official
entrance fees for 2000: sping/fall summer (peak season)
Baby Kids (0-2) free free
Little Kids (3-13) DKK 125 DKK 135
Big Kids (14-59) DKK 135 DKK 145
Senior Kids (60-) DKK 100 DKK 105
Two-Day-Ticket DKK 180 DKK 200
Season Ticket (full day early season, after 16:00 in peak) 185 DKK
Season Ticket (all season) 375 DKK
Increase compared to 1997: 30 (early season); 25 DKK (peak) per day
ticket.
When admission has been paid, all rides and exhibitions are free.
The Traffic School has a separate booking and payment system.
Guides and coach drivers are free and get free meal coupons.
In 2000 the whole park (both indoor and outdoor) will open:
Early/Late: April 1 - Oct. 29 --- 10 am - 8 pm (rides - 6 pm)
Peak season: June 17 - Aug. 27 --- 10 am - 9 pm (rides - 7 pm)
Until 1993 the indoor exhibits (8000 sq m) were open until December,
now they close with the outdoors.
The Legoland driving school is for kids aged 8...13. Examples of the
replications in the park and their piece counts, found by Mike Weldy
(bullwnkl@mentor.cc.purdue.edu) in a magazine:
* Mt. Rushmore (American monument to Presidents Washington,
Jefferson, Lincoln, and T. Roosevelt) (1.5 million regular bricks
and 40K Duplo)
* Billund Airport (complete with airplanes) (687,860 bricks)
* Port of Copenhagen (3 million bricks)
* The Statue of Liberty (1.4 million bricks)
* Big Chief Sitting Bull (1.2 million bricks)
* a buffalo hunt (2.5 million)
fin@unet.umn.edu (Craig A. Finseth) and kokdg@diku.dk (Bo Kjellerup)
have details how to get there:
AIR:
From Europe: Fly to Billund. (Yes, there are flights directly to
Billund from most major European cities.) The airport, which was at
first build by the LEGO company, is the second busiest (behind
Copenhagen) in Denmark. The first model of the airport was made out of
LEGO bricks.
From the US or anywhere else: Fly to Koebenhavn (Copenhagen) "Kastrup
Airport", then to Billund.
Once in Billund, walk. It's just across the parking lot, about five
minutes away. The Legoland Hotelis half a mile from the airport.
TRAIN:
You can't directly. Billund is about as far as you can get from any
railway lines and still be on land in Europe. Since the town was
essentially "put on the map" by LEGO Systems and that company didn't
really get going until well after World War II, I would guess that
they missed out on the railway building era. In any event, you can
take a train to Vejle (nice town) and a bus to Billund (about half an
hour).
If you arrive with a ferry from England (Harwich - Esbjerg), take the
train from the ferry to Esbjerg rail station, and go by bus to Billund
(about one hour).
BUS / AUTO:
The bus goes there. A main road goes there. As I recall, the airport
and LegoLand parking lots are one and the same.
Store:
There is a large store and it carries the entire current line. It does
_not_ carry old, non-standard, or discontinued kits. All sales are at
list price. If you're from the US, the only reason to buy anything is
that the current line is somewhat different in Europe than the US, so
you might find a new kit (and wince when you have to pay for it).
Price is a smaller consideration for other countries.
Features:
Family Hotel LEGOLAND, open all year round, Tel. +45 - 75 33 12 44
Banking: Den Danske Bank has a branch in the Information Office.
Handicapped: Walking-impaired and wheelchair users can go all over the
park.
More:
To keep the FAQ in limits, I'll email you the heartwarming
descriptions by some visitors, if you email a Subject line 'LEGOland
Billund request' to pfeifer@fokus.gmd.de
Windsor, UK, Europe
The park opened 1996.
official entrance fees for 1999:
Gate price
Little Kids (3-15) UKP 13.50
Adult Kids (16-59) UKP 16.50
Senior Kids (60+) UKP 10.50
British LEGO Club members UKP 10.50
2-day Little Kids (3-15) UKP 17.00
2-day Adult Kids (16-59) UKP 20.00
2-day Senior Kids (60+) UKP 14.00
Season Little Kids (3-15) UKP 39.00
Season Adult Kids (16-59) UKP 49.00
Season Senior Kids (60+) UKP 30.00
Season British LEGO Club members UKP 37.00
(in 1996 there war a pre-booking discount, which is not listed
for 1997. Tell me if you know.)
Group tariffs (min. 25 paying) and school rates available on request.
Booking 1997: +44 (0)990 04 04 04
Booking: +44 (0)990 62 63 64 (individuals)
Information: +44 (0)990 62 63 75
Groups/Schools: +44 (0)1753 626 100 Fax: +44 (0)1753 626 200
Pre-booking is recommended for guaranteed, fast track entry.
In 1999 the park will open:
daily: March 13 - Oct. 31 --- 10 am - 6 pm
Peak season: July 17 - Sep. 5 --- 10 am - 8 pm
Features:
* Miniland (LEGO): Scenes around Europe, major cities like London,
Amsterdam, Edingurgh, Paris. Some 800 buildings, another 700
vehicles, cranes, bridges, people. 25 mill. bricks.
* The DUPLO Gardens: rides, surprises, water, warm air fans for wet
kids.
* Driving Schools: electric cars for older children, powered boats.
* My Town: life-sized buildings, ice caves, tropical jungles, Magic
Theatre.
* Circus and Fairground: Children don't watch, they _are_ the show.
* Wild Woods: Pirates, traps, labyrinth.
Catering: 5 Moevenpick operated resaurants in each of the themed
areas.
Educational programmes for primary and secondary schools, incl. DACTA
Justin knows how to get there (j.watkins@surrey.ac.uk).
By Car
Legoland is located on the B3022 Bracknell/Ascot road just 2 miles
from Windsor town centre - easily reached and well signposted from the
M4, M25, M40 and M3 motorways.
By Rail
London has a large number of railway stations, few of which are
connected. This is a hangover form the early days of the private rail
companies (pre- 1940). It means you have to travel on the Tube or the
bus, but who cares. Windsor is South-West of London and can be reached
either from London Paddington or from London Waterloo.
Travel to Windsor takes just under half an hour from London
(Paddington), changing at Slough. From Waterloo, trains go direct.
Windsor has two stations (also for historic reasons, and not because
of its size). A dedicated shuttle bus runs from the stations to the
park.
From other parts of the UK, particularly the airports, Slough is on
the Reading to London line, which has lots of trains running.
Timetable and fares can be found by phoning:
London - 0171 928 5100 (24 hours)
Reading - 01734 595911
By bus
A dedicated shuttle bus runs from both Windsor stations to the park.
Other bus companies may provide transport to Windsor town, but you'd
have to make your own enquiries.
If you bring your own bus, you get free coach parking, and the driver
gets in for free if you have at least 15 people.
Tourist Information, Basingstoke - 01252 20968
By aeroplane / helicopter / parachute
London Heathrow and London Gatwick are within easy reach of the park.
Heathrow is best, and you should be able to see the park from the
aeroplane as you land. Enquire at the airport for local buses.
Gatwick is a bit further away, and you should either take the train to
Reading and change, or alternatively take the Gatwick Express into
London (Victoria).
Heathrow Airport enquiries - 0181 759 4321
Gatwick Airport enquiries - 01293 535353
By Foot
Take the train to Windsor, then get the special shuttle bus. You'll
need your walking feet for the rest of the day!
Carlsbad, California, USA
The LEGOLand Family Park in Carlsbad, California (a city near San
Diego) has opened in 1999, obviously.
See their website at http://www.legolandca.com/
In 2000 the whole park will open:
1999-Dec-31 - 2000-Mar-31 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
2000-Apr-01 - 2000-Apr-07 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
2000-Apr-08 - 2000-Apr-29 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
2000-May-01 - 2000-Jun-18 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
2000-Jun-19 - 2000-Sep-04 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
2000-Sep-05 - 2000-Oct-29 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
2000-Oct-30 - 2000-Dec-15 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
2000-Dec-16 - 2000-Dec-31 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. (24, 25, 31: until 5 p.m.)
official entrance fees for 2000:
Gate price
Little Kids (3-16) US$ 29
Adult Kids (17-59) US$ 34
Senior Kids (60+) US$ ask at gate
Parking: $4 Motorcycles, $7 Cars, $8 Campers/RV's. Buses and bicycles are free.
Passports (2000)
Annual Passport Primo (3-16) US$ 89 (all days a year)
Annual Passport Primo (17-59) US$ 109
Annual Passport Primo (60+) US$ 89
Annual Passport Block (3-16) US$ 59 (except 19 high traffic days))
Annual Passport Block (17-59) US$ 79
Annual Passport Block (60+) US$ ask
Family Discount: 10% if you bye 4 or more
Ambassador Lifetime US$ 1000
Order Passes: 1-877-LEGOPASS or 1-760-918-5347
Genral Information: 1-760-918-5346
Theresa Motyl (laygoman@ally.ios.com) knows where you can get short
information:
Karen Ireland
LEGO Park Planning Inc
Suite 130
5600 Avenida Encinas
Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA
Tel +1 (619) 438-5570
Fax +1 (619) 438-9499
Subject: 5) Large displays / play rooms:
The Seattle Children's Museum (Seattle Center) has a large DUPLO
playroom. They have also had LEGO exhibits from time to time.
merritt@u.washington.edu (Ethan A Merritt)
The Mall of America, in Bloomington, Minnesota (USA), has a Legoland
store near the center of the mall. It has a large area for play, with
tables and chairs. The tops of the tables are LEGO, and there are
basins set in the center where loose LEGO bricks are stored. There are
also huge models there: some hang from the ceiling by cables, others
stand tall on the ground, with moving parts and blinking lights. And
best of all: ALL AGES ARE WELCOME.
nudnik@winternet.com (Steven Parks)
... The sculptures range from dinosaurs, circus performers, and
animals, to scientific models of such things as the space shuttle.
... there are two *MEGA LARGE SIZE* lego blocks located in one part of
the surrounding parking lot that you might want to take a picture of.
foo@drycas.club.cc.cmu.edu (FOO)
pattie.fulton@sfwmd.gov (Pattie Everett Fulton) remembers an exibition
in a museum in Frankfurt, Germany, for architectural demonstrations.
Mark Hornblower (wombat@hookup.net):
There is a LEGO play area and store at Ontario Place in Toronto,
Ontario, Canada. It consists of a medium-sized room equipped with
about 25 building tables, and a retail area. The play area allows "big
kids" to play, no questions asked. Ontario Place has a sliding
admission scale (depends on the day of the week) but is often free for
various special events. DO NOT try to visit the LEGO area during the
Canadian National Exhibition - you won't even get in the door.
Patrick Goodsell (goodsell@ziplink.net):
A permanent exhibit, "LEGO Mindstorms", opened 11/1997 at the Chicago
Museum of Science and Industry, sponsered by the company, features
hands-on building opportunities--with voice-controlled robots,
touch-screens, and push-button controls. Workshops offer visitors the
chance to design, program and test a rover vehicle. Young navigators
also create, then maneuver their own robot athlete--all via computer.
There is a $5 charge per computer station for each 40-minute session.
Reservations are required for workshops.
Subject: 6) Computer connections and DACTA See address of DACTA in the address
section.
Fred Martin from the MIT provides:
LEGO Dacta is the educational branch of the LEGO company (which has
its U.S. headquarters in Enfield, CT). Dacta sells the LEGO Technic
product line -- the geared and motorized version of the LEGO system.
Call Dacta and get their catalog, which has many LEGO Technic kits.
Recommended kits are the 1038 Technic Universal Buggy (a specialized
kit for building a small LEGO vehicle with a dual motor drive; about
US$60), the 1032 Technic II with Motorized Transmission (a small
general-purpose kit including one motor and one battery pack; about
US$76), and the 9605 Technic Resource Set (a large general-purpose kit
including two motors and two battery packs; about US$200).
Catalog names:
* "Making Connections" (new 1994)
* "Small Hands: Big Imaginations"
* "Gear Up for Learning" (probably obsolete)
Dacta charges 5% shipping cost (while Shop at Home shippes free).
Orders can be placed with a credit card over the phone or through the
mail with a check. Schools can order with a purchase order. This is
only for the US. For other countries you should contact your local
Dacta representatives. Most countries should have one. If not, Denmark
should be able to let you know where you can order from.
vaughn@pluto.cis.udel.edu (Chris Vaughn) found in the Dacta catalog:
MS-DOS or Apple II Slot Card Pack - US$161.50 includes slot card,
cable, LEGO TC logo software and reference guides. (card is for most
MS-DOS machines, except IBM PS/2 Models 50 and above or any other
microchannel computer)
Interface Box and Transformer - US$188.00 This box is what you connect
all your motors, lights, and sensors to. It has 2 inputs, and 6
outputs (3 if you want to use three motors and have them all be
reversible).
carol@edfua0.ctis.af.mil (Andy Carol):
The Lego Control Lab for Macintosh and/or PC is available for about
US$600. It connects to any computer via serial cable (RS-232), has 8
different output ports which can control motors, lights, and sounds.
It has 8 different inputs for buttons, angles, thermal, etc. This is
_NOT_ a plug in card, but rather an external device hooked up via
serial cable. It is programmed with LOGO, and has a really nice
graphical system under Mac and Windows. It's also possible to use a C
and C++ API for all control functions.
jkoch@ee.ryerson.ca (jim koch) provides:
The price for Apple or IBM starter pack US$798.00 (Jan 92).
vaughn@pluto.cis.udel.edu (Chris Vaughn) writes:
The Mini Board is a "miniature microprocessor-based controller board
designed for control of small robotic devices". It was designed at the
MIT Media Laboratory. This board is perfect for controlling LEGO
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