First truly studless Technic set?

[Junpei]

I was just wondering what the first technic set with only liftarms and stuff like that. I know that the 8437 Future Car is very close but does anyone know the first studless set was?

[Blakbird]

Probably not really possible to define that. Studless parts were introduced gradually over a period of at least 10 years. In them interim, models had both types of parts. Even now, many modern sets have a few studded parts in them, for example for the grille or mirrors.

[1974]

Can't answer that but I did notice the new 42006 only has ONE (actually two of them) 1x1 round plate used for lights.

There are no other System parts nor Technic bricks (well, there's one 1x6 brick, but that's a spare used when it's motorised)

So, if one doesn't put on the light, the 42006 would be made entirely out of Technic liftarms, pins, bushes, gears etc ... not a brick or plate in sight. Haven't noticed that on any other Technic set as there allways seem to be quite a few System/Technic bricks tucked away somewhere

[Junpei]

OK thanks 1974 and Blakbird! I did kind of consider the few system parts in almost (probably all) technic sets, e.g. the dashboard for 9396. Without those in consideration, would it still be impossible to pick a set?

[N-4K0]

Funny enough, I don't consider the 1x1 trans-clear and trans-colored parts used for lights, as studded parts. The only parts I think about when I read studded parts, are the studded beams and plates bigger than 2x2.

[Erik Leppen]

8454?

That was my first studless set at least, and I remember I wanted it badly because of all the new parts I didn't own back then. 'Cause those very long beams of which 8466 contained two, looked to be so useful :P

Edited June 19, 2013 by Erik Leppen

[Anio]

2000 and 2001 : studful sets with several studless parts introduced, such as the liftarms (1x15 etc)

2002 : no new model, only remake. I guess designers were learning how to use studless

So, 2003 : very first true studless models.

Edited June 19, 2013 by Anio

[N-4K0]

Complicated constructions like the new 42009 crane might never become fully studless - I'm excluding 1x1 trans-clear and trans-colored pieces used as lights - so maybe looking for a 100 % studless set is futile.

Unless you do exclude said studded pieces.

[D3K]

8455 used no other studded parts than the 1x1 and 2x2 parts used for lights, and that set was released in 2003 (?)

technically, the engine block pieces are studded, but the studs are seldom used