afterword

I hope that by now you’ve gained a good understanding of the LEGO Technic system and how to build your own models. If you’re looking for more avenues to explore, you’ll find many among older LEGO sets. Some of the more unusual inventions include the barcode reader in the 8479 Barcode Multi-Set or the 9688 Renewable Energy Add-On set, which introduced a solar panel into the Power Functions system.

Even if you’re a fan of old-school sets and digging up the past, it pays off to keep track of new LEGO products, too. LEGO is constantly introducing new elements and solutions, pushing the envelope even further, as exemplified by the MINDSTORMS EV3 robotics kit (set 31313), which includes programmable control units, motors, sensors, and more. If pure Technic is not enough and you feel like trying your hand at MINDSTORMS, there are a number of books published by No Starch Press that will help you along your way.

Having built well over 200 MOCs in the last few years, I can say that the trial and error of building your own constructions is the best part of building. Getting to play with your finished, working construction is a nice touch, but the real pleasure comes from successfully tackling problems, big and small, which crop up when you choose to design your own models rather than to build from instructions. With enough trial and error, the only real limit to what you can build is your own imagination.

It is my wish that this book helps you to experience that pleasure as you play with LEGO pieces.