In the wake of their global success in the 1960s, the LEGO Group developed a new system of plastic bricks⦠for adults? This documentary explores the full story of Modulex, an obscure product line designed specifically for business use.
Chapters:
0:00 β Intro
1:16 β Chapter 1: A Strong Foundation
6:08 β Chapter 2: Building From the Ground Up
12:07 β Chapter 3: A Scale Modeling Tool
16:02 β Chapter 4: A Layout Planning Tool
18:57 β Chapter 5: A Project Management System
22:39 β Chapter 6: A Signage Solution
26:36 β Chapter 7: Coming Full Circle
30:49 β Credits
This video is for educational purposes and is distributed for non-commercial use. It is not monetized or sponsored. All video footage, images and audio recordings are the property of their original owners and are used in accordance with Fair Use principles. If ads appear on this video, it means a piece of media was copyright-claimed and the ad revenue is being collected by the copyright holder.
This production is not affiliated with the LEGO Group or Modulex A/S.
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Support my work by leaving a tip:
https://ko-fi.com/peterdibble
Further reading:
MiniBricks Madness
https://minibricksmadness.com/
βSaving Modulexβ by Barney Main
https://minibricksmadness.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Saving-Modulex2.pdf
βOld Bricks: What is Modulex?β by New Elementary
https://www.newelementary.com/2017/11/old-bricks-what-are-modulex-lego.html
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Music:
βMr Handsomeβ by Ritchie Everett
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=i-_9KhX33sM
βCafΓ© de ManhΓ£β by Martin Landstrom
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=lbsLbjy-vqk
βRidiΜculoβ by Martin Landstrom
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=eZDl-tnKuog
βBuenos Breezeβ by Serge Quadrado
https://open.spotify.com/track/7DxeoczykuJSmRUl2dAIBf?si=653aa5c7039f44c8
βVocΓͺ NΓ£oβ by Clara Mendes
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=H5OzSt5i8DU
βSorvete de LimΓ£oβ by Martin Landstrom
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=-BaEVeOKJ8w
βCrianΓ§as No Parqueβ by Clara Mendes
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ri2GyJmWNw
βAt the Campsiteβ by More Than Family
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=lMFNV5cMATI
source
My son is addicted to LEGO.
He started with a couple of bricks now he does a full one of those green bases in one go π.
It's heartbreaking stuff, tears familys apart.
i think you can make a history of LEGO video, think of the VIEWS
Incredible production and research. Thank you!
I feel like Lego bought Modulex because they knew they'd be a strong competitor.
The 1×5 plate exists now!
Hey, 18:06 is Seattle! And the bridge they never built for bridge over Elliot Bay linking West Seattle and Queen Anne! (And thank god they never built it lol but it was a thing.)
Thank you for this very informative entertaining video. It gives one plenty of thoughts to build on…
I wish I hadn't seen this. Mind blown
K, I haven't watched the whole video, but so far I've seen 2 things that have me feeling pretty confused….
Brown didn't get released until the 90's? And yet I distinctly remember the second-hand collection of bricks I played with as a girl (in the 80's, they would have been 70's bricks) having brown bricks in various sizes.
In 2008 we got a kit from the "Creator" line that was/is the most epic Lego set I've ever seen, I believe it was 900-1200 pieces, and had a full BOOK of ideas of animals to build, everything from a bird made of 3 bricks to a crab bigger than my hand with articulated arms and claws… it had slopes much like the ones in the Modulex (unlike any Lego bricks I've seen elsewhere) and it also had colours I've never seen, including a blue tone much closer to the Modulex set than the Lego set when you've compared them in this video. I've looked and looked for this particular set because it had such different pieces that were so fun to use, I've always wanted to expand our collection by getting another of the same kit, but I've never seen an image of it anywhere, let alone another set for sale!
I'm curious if anyone else has similar memories about brown bricks, and if anyone knows anything about an epic-ly huge Creator set that really should be re-released (it was one of the most open-ended sets I've ever seen!)??
Here in the Netherlands, I've managed to acquire quite a lot of it. It's a shame TLG killed Modulex, but if you really want it, it can be found.
I can just imagine architects and business execs buying Modulex for planning purposes but secretly buying it just because they wanted to play with it
Someone needs to petition Lego to bring back Modulex. Even if you aren't working in a professional setting, it would still be fun to experiment with.
Wow, great documentary!!!
Well shit….I had boxes and boxes of Modulex bricks I got from my gramps. I didn't know they were anything special, I just knew they didn't jive with my Legos lol.
The patent is from 1958 or 1961. Who says today that there can only be one LEGO?
I love that bottom line "fffuuuuuu" @ 22:00 xD
Every day I drive past the modulex βHQβ. Only a shadow of itβs former glory π’π’
hi
I work for Modulex in Billund, proud to see this video. π
This man needs more subs cuz in 5he thumbnail he got a modulex Lego brick
Hey Peter, my girlfriend was wondering if you can please do the history of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. We are both locals to the Bay Area, and find history highly fascinating. We know the park is not closed, but it would still be interesting nonetheless. With the closing of California's Great America located in Santa Clara in 2033, I am afraid the Bay Area and its surrounding cities will only have the Boardwalk as its remaining amusement park.
man I went into this thinking Lego made some largely forgotten product for professionals that was ultimately a failure, but knowing that it was so successful and widespread around the world up until the mid-2000's makes it even more upsetting that it's fallen into obscurity.
I'm borne 1963, and was crazy about LEGO from 2-3 years of age. My mom sayed it was very practical that she could just place my large wooden basket of lego in front of me, and she could go about household chores, just hearing me show through the basket in search for the right brick or part. (I knew exactly how many of the more unusual parts I had.) When the sound of me showing the bricks in the basket seased, she knew I had fallen asleep on the floor carpet!π
I remember when the slanted rooftiles 2×6 knobs were introduced (so they were not exlusive to the Modulex system), a rotating disk assembly, and the first LEGO motor, that had a separate battery box, that you connected with electrical cords to the motor. A train system was also introduced. You had to assemble the rails and sleepers yourself.
LEGO bricks were not only offered as kits, but rather more in white and black paper boxes containing a category of parts/bricks. Often when we travelled to town (every 1-2 weeks, by steam powered trains!), I would ask to buy a certain type of bricks. And I kept track of new types of bricks introduced.
My daughter who has moved from home to university, specifically asked me to retain the wooden basket with the LEGO bricks and parts for her, when clearing amongst her toys. Who knows, perhaps my grandchildren will be playing with some of my old bricks mixed in with their new ones?π
There was actually an Italian rip-off brick system, that my mom bought when we had vacation in Italy, because I was very unhappy I didn't have my LEGO. However, when we came home, the 3year old me, got very upset whenever these "false bricks" didn't work with the genuine LEGO, so she sorted them out, and threw them away (without me knowing), which restored my peace of mind.π
Sadly gears where only introduced after I had learned to work even in metal for my projects.
This would be useless while modern designs developed with new construction. Architecture is art, even if modular. So many options beyond what Modulex can do.
Notice how Lego sets are getting smaller and smaller and the prices are going higher and higher for literal plastic bricks
22:47 Wow, it's weird seeing this building in its original state. I drive past it regularly (it's still Modulex HQ, just with a fresh disguise) and have seen it with all the various logo revisions so this is literally like stepping back in time.
Amazing video! I learnt more than I expected today.
Modulex actually sounds fun to build with and project
In east Germany we had Formo
I wanted to pitch this idea to LEGO 10 years ago, unaware of Modulex. I wish they would bring back Modulex.
These are so much cooler than Lego. And the colour palettes remind me of ZX Spectrum vs Commodore 64.
Too bad I canβt buy them. π
This was so fantastic. Thanks for sharing this knowledge with me, and thanks to Karyn Murphy
I need a new PD vid π’
They needed a way to use modules as frames or some way to shape and place.
Making partial molds, or special studs, or scaffolding and some sort of low temp formablr plastic or scaffold for clay like car models. Like modulex make a good super structure and support for the shapeble material. The super structure would Essentially be 3d grid paper. Helping aid the scale in design. Idk I feel like there's a solution to the limited style aspects
Like 'square foot garden" style caps keeping a scaffold for clay. Or standardized balsa wood with studs holes for easy mounting compatibility with the bricks.
Maybe form tools to keep the clay uniform on the finish layer. Like sets of radius forms. Like if you are familar the accu arc drawing tool but make it 3d. Hmmm i sense a i have to make this nowm
I remembered a few minutes ago that this video existed and I wanted to rewatch it but it was a nightmare to find
My tablet worked fine. Then this video bricked it.
algo comment π
I met Karen Murphy a few times at past Brickfairs, and she is wonderful! I also have additional info about the signage from an inside source. A friend of mine, Kevin Hinkle, used to work in a community outreach position at the LEGO Group in the 2010s, and showed pictures of the offices he worked at. Most employees had office signs made with printed LEGO system tiles, but the executives were still using Modulex!
they should bring it back