3700b - Technic Brick before Technic began

[freakwave]

To quote Blackbird "1977- The Year it all Started" all the technic bricks came into being in 1977.

However in the pre-historc 1976 (from a Technic point of view) a few models had a brick that is now called 3700b:

I could not find an explanation on Blakbird's site so does anybody of you have an idea why there is kind of a "slot" to the hole?

Was it supposed to be kind of a test-mould to figure out what would be the best way to support the holes in the technic bricks?

Thanks

Edited March 8, 2011 by freakwave

[roamingstop]

According to Bricklink inventory - the models associated with this seem to use it as an axle holder of some kind - so perhaps it was the first idea for the brick... and tested in real life models to see how it works.

[Parax]

... so does anybody of you have an idea why there is kind of a "slot" to the hole?

The Slot looks very much like the newer pieces which have a slot also

http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemPic.asp?P=64179

http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemPic.asp?P=62821

This slot is a moulding short-cut for the recessed ring that pins snap into. Although it is mainly used on the insides of open structures.

Perhaps this original slot was also a moulding issue rather than being functional.

Nice find, its good to see rare parts!

P.

Edited March 7, 2011 by Parax

[Blakbird]

To quote Blackbird "1977- The Year it all Started" all the technic bricks came into being in 1977.

I could not find an explanation on Blakbird's site so does anybody of you have an idea why there is kind of a "slot" to the hole?

There were some "Technic like" parts prior to 1977, and in fact even in 1977 it was called "Expert Builder" and did not become "Technic" until 1985. Some examples of earlier parts include the Samsonite gear wheels in 1965. The part which you reference above never appeared in a Technic or Expert Builder set.

[Conchas]

I have this F1 car from 1976 and also the original instructions.

The part was in fact used as an axle holder (4 in the front axis and two in the rear one), for the 8L white translucent axles, used at the time.

It is like an early version of the actual 1x2 Technic Brick, and like Parax explained it was probably the solution found at the time, to address the molding requisites in the cheapest way.

[freakwave]

I have this F1 car from 1976 and also the original instructions.

Nice! I do have the Norten motorcycle also using 4 of those.

It is like an early version of the actual 1x2 Technic Brick, and like Parax explained it was probably the solution found at the time, to address the molding requisites in the cheapest way.

There were some "Technic like" parts prior to 1977, and in fact even in 1977 it was called "Expert Builder" and did not become "Technic" until 1985. Some examples of earlier parts include the Samsonite gear wheels in 1965. The part which you reference above never appeared in a Technic or Expert Builder set.

Thanks for your opinons!

[Jan]

My guess is that there have been similair situations like this one: bucketloader 6630

The yellow technic look-a-like part where you put the red arms connected to the bucket has these kind of slots aswell to reduce stress on the part during placement and removal. Just a guess.

[chorlton]

Nice! I do have the Norten motorcycle also using 4 of those.

Thank You! I could picture the bike in my head but couldn't recall the name. I was incredibly jealous when my brother got it as a 5th birthday present and was far too young for it You can see the piece on the box image.

Jan, there were earlier versions of the bucketloader. I had one from when the minifigs didn't have articulated arms and legs.

This one, or even earlier

Edited March 8, 2011 by chorlton