My Lego ZX81! by hairydalek, on Flickr

Yes, I know I’ve posted about this on the Lego thread, but I wanted to give it a bit more prominence. As you (mar or may not) know, I’ve been planning a Lego model of the ZX81 computer. I built it in Lego Digital Designer and sent off for the set to be made shortly before the service was stopped earlier this month.

You can see the results of my efforts here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hairydalek ... 011228815/

Since then, I’ve submitted it to Lego’s Cuusoo site. Basically, this is a place where you can upload your ideas. If an idea gets over 10,000 votes of support, it will be considered for production by Lego. So I’ve outlined my idea here:
http://lego.cuusoo.com/ideas/view/8479

If you think there is mileage in the idea of a range of Retro Computer models made in Lego, or you think that the ZX81 model needs to go into production, please help by voting. I need 10,000 to get to the next stage. I’m hoping the good folk of X404 will add their votes to the list. 10,000 is a big ask, but I’m hoping that it will gain traction to make it that far.

Disclosure: I’ll get 1% of the takings from the sale of the set if it did make it to production. I know it may not necessarily happen, but I’d like it to get past the public voting stage. I’ve been Tweeting about it the last day or so as well.

Thanks

I'm not sure how the custom/branded design versions go, but I always thought the premise of a Lego kit was that it could make at least 2 and often 3 different models.

So my question is, what else can you make from these bricks?

A ZX80? You might stretch to a Spectrum. With more kits, maybe a QL?

Lego's Architecture range only do one model. A ZX80 can't be done as it was completely white. A ZX Spectrum or a QL are possible. Sinclair's range seem to fit the Lego aesthetic quite well. I am plotting a Z88 right now (I have one so I can measure it) and an Acorn Electron. The problem with keyboards with proper keyboards is that right now, I'm not sure how to represent them with the available bricks, so the Elk is on hold while I ponder.

A 2x2 brick, with a 2x2 smooth tile on top? Although, from memory, the 2x2 brick might be a bit too big, if you want to build to scale - I haven't had any Lego in my hands for nearly 30 years.

Also, I had a fair few white bircks a plates as a kid, what is the problem with a white ZX80?

You can't make it from the kit Paul has designed, which was what we were talking about.

Anyway, can of white spray paint solves the issue.

Ah, ok. He was talking about a range... Why not just order some white bricks?

I think people were wondering if you could build a ZX80 from the bricks in the ZX81 set. It is likely to be possible, but the colour would be wrong.

Yes, a ZX80 would be possible as its own kit.

Love to vote, but it seems you need a Facebook account

you can log in using your fb account but I don't think you need one.


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=53.842705,-1.532903

Tried 'signing up' via another method but the 'submit' button won't show despite me disabling all my plugins on that page

Weird. What browser were you using? Tried a different browser?

Rick Dickinson, who designed the ZX81 (as well as most of Sinclair’s other hardware) has commented on my model.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hairydalek/6754604865/

Last night, I was Slashdotted - thankfully it was Posterous’ and Flickr’s bandwidth, and not mine

Today, the Register has picked it up:
http://www.reghardware.com/2012/01/31/m ... with_lego/

My Flickr stats are through the roof - 23,000 views just today, an it’s not even midday yet.

I am feeling a mix of emotions about it, best summarised thusly:

I am somewhat surprised that none else ever thought of doing this. There you go. My 15 MB of fame.

Crikey, well done!