American History

[Clone Commander]

Hey everyone, I'm an American and I love my country and I was wondering what you guys think about Lego sets that show scenes from America's history. Sets such as the Signing of the Decleration of Independence, or maybe the American troops that raised the flag at Normandy. What do you guys think.

[Tom Bricks]

As a fellow American I personally would love some sets about the American Relolution. Paul Reveres ride, the Boston Tea Party, The Civil War...

These wouldn't happen though because lego is not an American product. I think these things are better left for MOCs, but unfortunately I haven't seen any. I guess I should get building.

[Teddy]

Personally,

I'm not fond of nationalistic themes.

And to see the copy of the "Plakkaat van Verlatinghe" 200 years later?

Wiki linky

Better show the Dutch original than.

Kind regards,

Teddy

[Sandy]

Yeah, nationalism in LEGO isn't cool for me either - no matter what country we're talking about.

It's totally alright to be proud of the country you live in, but when it comes to an international trademark like LEGO, one country shouldn't be raised above others, in my opinion.

[Fluyt]

If TLG does that, it would mean instant dark-age for me. It doesn't belong in LEGO.

[BlueBard]

Mmh... I don't really think TLC would release a such nationalistic theme, specially because the main interest would go to the States while Lego is supposed to be an "international" toy. Anyway, we already had real "historic" themes like the european or the japanese middle ages, the american western or the viking era so, who knows?

[Luke McAwesome]

Sorry, I don't think so; LEGO wouldn't do this because other countries would demand sets about their history as well, would they not? They'd think LEGO was more loyal to North America.

Edited July 9, 2009 by Striker™

[Commodore Hornbricker]

I could do without the nationalistic type sets but I would love to see one or two new sets a year like the Eiffel Tower and Taj Mahal. There are so many famous houses of government, Palaces, castles, museums, monuments, public works that would be very cool as large sets. It would also be very neat if Lego introduced a line of famous minifigures. The ten most influential people of each century going back the last 5 or six hundred years. Between those two things you could put together some great scenes.

[Tom Bricks]

I could do without the nationalistic type sets but I would love to see one or two new sets a year like the Eiffel Tower and Taj Mahal. There are so many famous houses of government, Palaces, castles, museums, monuments, public works that would be very cool as large sets. It would also be very neat if Lego introduced a line of famous minifigures. The ten most influential people of each century going back the last 5 or six hundred years. Between those two things you could put together some great scenes.

The only problem with that is that Hitler is arguably the most influential person of the 20th century and they would never make a minifig of him. I also think that they wouldn't want to make religious figures either. I think sets of important places would be nice though, like the Golden Gate Bridge or Mt. Rushmore.

[Lego_Warlord_8]

I could do without the nationalistic type sets but I would love to see one or two new sets a year like the Eiffel Tower and Taj Mahal. There are so many famous houses of government, Palaces, castles, museums, monuments, public works that would be very cool as large sets.

Yes, that would be awesome. Plus they look soo cool in Lego! ~LW 8~

I think sets of important places would be nice though, like the Golden Gate Bridge or Mt. Rushmore.

Mount Rushmore would look amazing. I would defiantly buy it if it where in Lego. ~LW 8~

[Commodore Hornbricker]

The only problem with that is that Hitler is arguably the most influential person of the 20th century and they would never make a minifig of him. I also think that they wouldn't want to make religious figures either. I think sets of important places would be nice though, like the Golden Gate Bridge or Mt. Rushmore.

I'd probably stop at the 19th century to avoid that type of modern day conflict. Let them evaluate the 20th century in 80 or 90 years to see who to include. I think they could find 10 of the most influential people who weren't mass murders.

[Holy Diver]

I highly doubt it, considering that Lego's homeland is Denmark.

[Capt. Redblade]

I wouldn't even look at any nationalistic themes if they ever came to pass. Unless they depicted Canadian scenes like... I don't know... the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, or the American attack on Quebec. (I only list these as options because we won in both instances. Forgive me for being historically accurate.)

For the most part, I'm not sure nationalistic sets would be a good idea, because they'd make residents of other countries think that TLC was playing favourites. (Yes, favourites with a "u"!)

[cdljal]

Other then some of the License themes (Star Wars , Indiana Jones, ect) Lego is a world of its own a place where a childs or AFOLs imagination is the limit. If you wan't scenes from the revolution there are lots of soldiers and figures from Pirates that would work, go ahead and build it. Oh and share picts I'd love to see what you come up with. OH and have you ever noticed that in the Lego original themes they never mention a county they are imperial ships in pirates, Crusaders, Black Falcons, Black knights, ect in Castle, Lego City in town.

[blueandwhite]

Honestly, nationalism and LEGO are fine but I don't want to see sets dedicated to it. We've had sets that pay tribute to the US before (the USS Constitution, Statue of Liberty and the Wright Bros. Plane) but it has never been a major focus. Being a patriot is fine. Expecting a toy company to wave your colours is a bit much though. The Western theme is clearly inspired by the US frontier, just as the Ninja line clearly refrences feudal Japan. Do we really need LEGO to be any more specific than that?

[FelixTheCat]

The best thing about lego (real classic style) is that there is no nations, no race, no superiority.

Everyone in Legoland is yellow and thats it. It's just building and imagination.

[Jack Bricker]

Honestly, nationalism and LEGO are fine but I don't want to see sets dedicated to it. We've had sets that pay tribute to the US before (the USS Constitution, Statue of Liberty and the Wright Bros. Plane) but it has never been a major focus. Being a patriot is fine. Expecting a toy company to wave your colours is a bit much though. The Western theme is clearly inspired by the US frontier, just as the Ninja line clearly refrences feudal Japan. Do we really need LEGO to be any more specific than that?

I would just like to have an American flag for the US frontier and a japanese flag for feudal Japan.

[LegoDad42]

That would be great but it most probably only sell well here in the good ole' USA. We've had the Statue of Liberty. the Wild West theme and right now we get some nice looking US landmark architecture (Frank Lloyd Wright house, Guggenheim, Empire State building, etc.). Like someone mentioned above a US landmark series with Mount Rushmore would be awesome, the Capital Building, Golden Gate Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge...and perhaps a nice set idea is have a kit showing the signing the Declaration of Independance mimicing the painting by John Trumbull(?).

Still would love to see a WWII theme showcasing US GI's kickin' butt, Spitfire's, Zero's, the great Battleships, Panzer, Tiger and Sherman Tanks, the Maginot line with German mini-figs running past it, flying fortresses....I would love it!

[Forresto]

Look i'm American and I would love some civil war sets and the western theme is very much like that. Pirates in fact is historiclly mainly been french and British.

I agree with what people have said about Lego and nationlity but if you notice almost all the liscened themes are based off of ameriacan made films or shows. I really would like doctor who or Lord of the Rings sets but I really don't see that happening.

The problem is staying in good mix of sets is good, but leaning too far in either direction is a bad thing.

[dabulls03]

Speaking of sets that are nation specific, does anyone remember the Soccer World Cup theme from 10 years back?

There was a soccer team bus that you could buy that came with stickers of the flags of the US, Canada, England, Australia, and Brasil.

You could customize the players' jerseys and the sides of the bus with the flags of your country.

As for TLG ever coming out with historic American scenes, I doubt it.

Not because other countries would be offended, just because there wouldn't be very many people who would be interested, especially kids.

Nation specific themes have worked before.

For example, the NBA basketball theme and the NHL hockey theme in the US, although not huge successes, still sold and no one was offended.

[Margim]

No way. I think this is what MOCing is for. Not against some sort of line of specialised parts being made available from lego, but definitely not this.

[kabel]

Still would love to see a WWII theme showcasing US GI's kickin' butt, Spitfire's, Zero's, the great Battleships, Panzer, Tiger and Sherman Tanks, the Maginot line with German mini-figs running past it, flying fortresses....I would love it!

sick

[Steel Dragon]

Honestly, nationalism and LEGO are fine but I don't want to see sets dedicated to it. We've had sets that pay tribute to the US before (the USS Constitution, Statue of Liberty and the Wright Bros. Plane) but it has never been a major focus. Being a patriot is fine. Expecting a toy company to wave your colours is a bit much though. The Western theme is clearly inspired by the US frontier, just as the Ninja line clearly refrences feudal Japan. Do we really need LEGO to be any more specific than that?

And is it just me, or did the Fire Brigade modular building sport a brick-built Stars & Stripes?

[Joey Lock]

The only Nationalism Lego would and has done is Brickbuilt flags. If Lego did do Nationalism, do you really think they would make American sets? I mean, there from Denmark.

Plus, No offense but Lego makes all round sets, not country specific sets, besides the USA already get enough from Lego, I mean the sets are practically realised over there months before the UK (Which is closer to Denmark...) and Denmark probably doesn't even get them early...

Not that I don't like America, Believe me, Its just the if you really wanted to make Americas history, I don't think you could make legalised sets. Making sets about America's twentieth century with all the wars (WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq) and internal affairs (Protests, Civil Rights e.t.c) would be a impossible thing for Lego to ever sell.

As Margim said, Its up to MOCing for that and Custom weapons/decals.

[Sir Dillon]

Everyone please remember that we have members from all around the world, so something you are comfortable with could be offensive to someone else, and vice versa. Political events can be a very touchy subject, so if we can't discuss this in a considerate manner the topic will be locked.

This is not the topic to discuss general distribution and price variations either.