LEGO MODULEX
MODULEX
In 1960 Godtfred was building a new house, of course he tried to build the house with LEGO bricks. The problem was that the LEGO brick, with an aspect ratio of 6:5, was different from the standard European construction modules 1:1. Instead of solving the problems by using LEGO bricks differently, he had new, special bricks cast. Bricks that made it possible for him to build his plans.
These new bricks were based on a 5mm cube (1:1) and were about 5/8 the size of a standard LEGO brick. After finishing his model of his new house, Godtfred began to explore the possibility of selling these new elements to architects and planners.
Scale
In 1962, LEGO introduced the "Scale model line. This was an attempt to introduce LEGO bricks for adults. The company made bricks that could be used to create scale models of existing buildings. It also allowed architects to build model houses or interiors to scale. Scale bricks are 1/3 the size of normal lego elements. Because the bricks had a strange scale and all had right angles, the product probably flopped. It is also true that this Scale line was seen as a toy, and so there were many designers who did not want to use the product. The production of Scale products stopped in 1965. Scale's sister company, called Modulex improved the basic idea, by giving the bricks a size that fit the metric system. These new bricks were used for planning boards.
The architectural sets
While Godtfred was busy founding Modulex, LEGO released its own series of architectural sets. These sets were initially intended for adults. The sets included graph paper and a ruler with instructions for designing models. The series consisted of three major sets, 750, 751 and 752, as well as a number of additional sets.The sets consist of only bricks and slabs, and do not include any of the specialized roof, window or door elements. This limited assortment may have seemed appropriate for the buildings in the idea book, but it did not strike a chord with architects, so the series was not a success and was ended in 1965.
MODULEX A/S
In 1963, Godtfred started a new company: MODULEX A/S. MODULEX A/S was founded in 1963 by the LEGO Group. The Modulex system was never discovered by architects, but it was discovered by industrial planners who found the system very useful in modelling processes and building prototypes. Partly because of this, the Modulex Planning System was released in 1966. The planning system expanded the existing products with various plates, tiles and blocks with letters, numbers and symbols. It was used worldwide and was the company's first commercial success.
The M20 System
The M20 system, the first product, was intended for architects for modeling buildings, it included a variety of bricks, roof tiles, plates, base plates, windows and letter tiles based on the 5mm cube and intended for building in a scale of 1:20 (hence the name M20). The system also included some odd parts, such as a base plate foil, a foil comb and cutter as well as a solvent-based adhesive. Early elements were molded by LEGO and had the LEGO logo on the studs. Later elements had a simple M (from Modulex) on the studs.
Over the next eight years, more planning products were issued and in 1974, after years of development, MODULEX Interieur 10, an architectural drawing system based on many of the planning system components, was released. The product was a success and even won the Danish ID Design Prize. Their first program for drawing the exterior, Exterior 500, was introduced in 1979.
The success resulted in a new focus for the company. The company merged with the American ASI (40 locations in the U.S.A.) in 1993. As a result, the company has grown into an international enterprise with branches in over 35 countries. They offer individual, customer-oriented service and support worldwide. MODULEX as a wide range of standard signage systems. In addition, they can also provide customization thanks to the 50% stake in the Principle Group (U.K.). Modulex manufactures all its products under the ISO 9001 quality assurance standard.
However, planning has not been completely forgotten, a new system called Plancopy was introduced in 1982 and updated in 1994. This system is still available today.
Interlego AG.
In order to expand the protection of his company and to circumvent Danish tax and corporate law, Godftred founded Interlego AG in Zug, Switzerland. So the LEGO Group now consists of two parts: LEGO A/S in Denmark and Interlego AG in Switzerland. Lego's intellectual property, including trademarks and patents were granted to Interlego AG, while production and marketing are still carried out by LEGO A/S.
Here you find all sorts of LEGO Modulex in my private collection.
See the details here and click on a photo to enlarge the photo.
