Minifigure Design Milestone Firsts

DoctorMcGann

I don't think it's negative, but I do think that it's a tad stereotypical. Also, if yellow was used to allow lego to be raceless, I think it's odd that they would go so far from that here...

catwrangler

I agree, @DoctorMcGann. I get that in theory, yellow was meant to represent anybody/everybody, but in practice it seems to have ended up representing white people. I wonder if the Star Wars license clarified this for TLG - it looks like the first human character with a natural fleshtone* was Lando in 2003's Cloud City. I remember being glad to see they made him brown, because it would've felt off to just make him yellow like Han etc. It looks like they began to use natural fleshtones in the prequel sets as standard in 2004, though in the OT sets there was some overlap from the X-wing fighter (yellow) to the Millennium Falcon (fleshies). 

What's also interesting is the note on Bricklink about that 1977 set: "Released only in Continental Europe, UK, Australia and Canada. "Red Indians" is Lego's official set name." Did they assume it would be offensive in the US (and if so, why not Canada, where presumably First Nations people wouldn't be thrilled at the stereotype either?), or was there just a bigger market for Western stuff outside the US at that time? In any case, the 1996/7 Western range seems to have been making a concerted effort to get it right - someone pointed out that those figures were the first to have printed noses (mirroring the real world's gradual philosophical shift from "we don't see colour or difference" to "we acknowledge/celebrate it", I guess), and they seem to have avoided setting up a good/bad binary - all the conflict seems to happen within the cowboy faction, what with the jailbreak and the stage coach robbery...

* There's Bib Fortuna, but that's an alien character who they'd represented with a fleshie head plus a "hair" piece, rather than going for a fully moulded head like with Jar-Jar or Yoda.

BlockedUp

2003 - First Minifigure with Natural Skin Tone - opposed too yellow- First issued Set #3500 Kobe Bryant (NBA Player).It is also said that this is the first minifg to represent an actual non fiction person. I then ask the question, who is the director of the Studio Sets? Everyone including Lego knows it is Speilberg. So that makes the 2000 Studio set the first non fictional character released. 

BlockedUp

2000 – Steven Spielberg - First issued Set #1349

CCC

It is only Spielberg if the packaging or other documentation says it is. Otherwise it is supposition.

catwrangler

Ah, missed that - thanks, @BlockedUp!

BlockedUp

http://en.brickimedia.org/wiki/1349_LEGO_Studios_Steven_Spielberg_MovieMaker_Set

BlockedUp

Link above shows it is from the Speilberg movie studio set...so I wouldn't call it supposition.

CCC

That's the set name, but the minifigure was never named. That is why he doesn't take the name in the BL or brickset database. Remember the same figure appeared in many other sets without the Spielberg branding or charity endorsement.

BlockedUp

Yeah, I do see his head on other figures...maybe we wait for Lego to admit it is him...lol

BlockedUp

Although, like on Biggs his head is used elsewhere too...

CCC

It is the entire figure that is the same. He was always referred to by Lego as the Director in about a dozen sets. They had a deal with the Spielberg foundation to include his name and signature on one set. Inspired by Spielberg? Most probably. Actually him? Never confirmed.

Of course anyone can refer to him as whoever they want in their own play / collection. But in a database, best not.

Brickimedia entries should be taken with a pinch of salt, they'll publish anything.

Legopassion8

What was the first maxi figure? The Troll from Harry Potter?

Lyichir

Legopassion8 said:

What was the first maxi figure? The Troll from Harry Potter?

Maybe? Of course, it would partly depend on how you define the term. I mean, arguably modern bigfig design's roots could be traced back even farther, like to the 1999 Rock Raiders rock monster. Bigfigs have only really followed a single standardized pattern since 2012, when the modern design debuted in the Marvel Super Heroes and Lord of the Rings themes.

Fauch

the 2007 ones in fantasy era look fairly similar to modern big figs too. at least on pictures.

BlockedUp

1999 - First Minifigure "bigfig" - Rock Monster - Rock Raiders - Set #4950

Istokg

datsunrobbie said:

DoctorMcGann said:

oldtodd33 said:

If you are going for first ethnicity irregardless of style this is the one and only one with both old styles.  http://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?S=215-1#T=S&O={}

Oh my god, they actually gave them red skin. Why, lego...

Because in 1977 most of the population was not so worked up about being politically correct. We actually played cowboys and Indians, cops and robbers, etc. 

This was simply a different time... and back in 1977 there were only 7 LEGO colors... red, white, blue, yellow, trans-clear, black and gray (with a couple of brown parts coming out soon).

Nowhere on the box does it say "Red Indians".... in fact the 215 box has no set name at all.  Even in catalogs only the word "Indians" is used... as seen in this 1978 Canadian bilingual LEGO catalog page.... (see bottom of page 5)...

http://www.youblisher.com/p/1028565-1978-Canada-LEGO-Catalog/

Even before the 1977 introduction of the 215 set, other color bricks were used to describe ethnic backgrounds... such  as the use of black bricks to show an African female in this 1963 USA/Canada Samsonite LEGO set.  Even Asians and Europeans are shown in the same color... yellow.

http://brickset.com/sets/905-1/Doll-Set

Yes this was the era before political correctness....  (rolling eyes emoticon)...

77ncaachamps

datsunrobbie said:

DoctorMcGann said:

oldtodd33 said:

If you are going for first ethnicity irregardless of style this is the one and only one with both old styles.  http://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?S=215-1#T=S&O={}

Oh my god, they actually gave them red skin. Why, lego...

Because in 1977 most of the population was not so worked up about being politically correct. We actually played cowboys and Indians, cops and robbers, etc. 

And because, well, they have red skin.
The same reason I have been told I have yellow skin.

#NOT

TigerMoth

Istokg said:

Nowhere on the box does it say "Red Indians".... in fact the 215 box has no set name at all.  Even in catalogs only the word "Indians" is used... as seen in this 1978 Canadian bilingual LEGO catalog page.... (see bottom of page 5)...

It says "Red Indians" in various UK catalogues.

Istokg

TigerMoth said:

Istokg said:

Nowhere on the box does it say "Red Indians".... in fact the 215 box has no set name at all.  Even in catalogs only the word "Indians" is used... as seen in this 1978 Canadian bilingual LEGO catalog page.... (see bottom of page 5)...

It says "Red Indians" in various UK catalogues.

And that can problably easily explained here...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Indian

Continental European and Candian LEGO catalogs mention just "Indians" or "Indiens" or "Indianer", etc... because unlike the UK there was less likelihood for there to be confusion among children back in the late 1970s between North American native peoples, and those of the Asian subcontinent.  I don't think that British LEGO Ltd., the Courtauld's Corp. LEGO licensee for LEGO from 1960 until 1992 was being purposefully insensitive to native peoples of the Americas.

Even today the native Indians of Canada want to be called "First Nations", while those of the USA prefer "Native Americans".  TLG now must walk an even thinner tightrope than before, in keeping as many people happy as possible... since 100% agreement is not likely! 

TigerMoth

Istokg said:

And that can problably easily explained here...

There was no "probably" about it. By the time Columbus misused the term, "Indian" meant something rather different to Europeans - if you think about it, that's why he misused it. And, of course, the subcontinent subsequently became of increasing importance.

I don't think that British LEGO Ltd., the Courtauld's Corp. LEGO licensee for LEGO from 1960 until 1992 was being purposefully insensitive to native peoples of the Americas.

What happens over there is one thing, but the term has absolutely no negative connections in the UK. In any case, British LEGO Ltd. didn't have anything to do with North America. Either way, I don't suppose anybody in Wales thought any more about it.

Incidentally, Courtaulds was just that (sometimes with "Group")- there's no "Corp." (or apostrophe).

Istokg

Corp., Company, Group, Ltd., AG, GmbH, Pty., LLC, virtually same meaning.... just different strokes for different folks.... Different countries have different incorporation nomenclature and processes, but they're all essencially just companies.... I'm sure everyone knew what I meant.

TigerMoth

Istokg said:

Corp., Company, Group, Ltd., AG, GmbH, Pty., LLC, virtually same meaning.... just different strokes for different folks.... Different countries have different incorporation nomenclature and processes, but they're all essencially just companies.... I'm sure everyone knew what I meant.

For anybody else, then I wouldn't have bothered. If you want to claim to be a historian then, no, you get it right, otherwise facts become "facts" and lose their value. It's not as if you've not said it before.

Courtaulds was an absolutely huge entity and a lot of it still exists; trying to fathom it's history is a nightmare at the best of times, without inventing bits.

BlockedUp

Updated List

Pre Cursors

1974 – 1978 - Precursor to the modern day minifigure -  No Face, Hands in Pockets and a Hat – Zero Points of Articulation

 

Modern Minifigures

1978 - First issued Modern minifigure - Police Officer - Sticker on torso. First Issued Set #600

1978 - First Female Minifigure – Female – House with Garden - First Issued Set #376

1979 - First Screen Printed Torso – Classic Space Astronaut – White and Red - Set #928

1979 - First Minifigure Chef – First Iconic Chef Hat - Snack Bar – First Issued Set #675

1984 - First Minifigure with Apron/Also Used as First Cape - Black Smith - Black Smith Shop - First Issued Set #6040 (Used as a cape in 1986 on Castle Maiden – Set #6067)

1985 - First Minifigure with Jet Pack – Space – White Astronaut/Blue Jet Pack - First Issued Set #6952

1986 - First Minifigure with Cape - Castle Maiden – First issued Set #6067

1989 - First Minifigure with a Different Face – Face other than simple two black dots for eyes, and a black curved smile - Pirate - Set #6235

1989 - First Minifigure Monkey - Spinoza the Monkey – Has 4 Minifigure Arms and Hands - Set #6235

1989 - First Minifigure with Different Hands/Legs – Pirate - Captain Red Beard - Set #6251

1990 - First Specialized Minifigure/Non-Human – Ghost (1x2 brick legs) – First Issued Set #6034

1990 - First Skirted Female Minifigure – King’s Mountain Fortress – Maiden - First Issued Set #6081 – CAS097

1992 - First Minifigure with Freckles – Sand Dollar Café – Paradisa Male Three – Palm Tree Torso - First Issued Set #6411 – PAR021

1993 - First Minifigure Helmet with Print – (2) Stunt Pilots - First Issued Set #6345

1993 - First Minifigure with Cloth Cape – Dragon Master – Castle Theme - Set #6076

1993 - First Minifigure with a Beard - “Majisto” - Set #6048 - Known as Merlin in UK Catalog

1993 - First Minifigure with a Name – “Majisto” - Set #6048 - Known as Merlin in UK Catalog

1994 – First Minifigure with non-yellow printed head – Spyrius Droid - Set #6705

1994 – First Minifigure with Printed Legs – Spyrius Droid - Set #6705

1994 –First Minifigure Droid/Robot – Spyrius Droid - Set #6705

1995 - First Minifigure Skeleton – Set #6036 (Lego doesn’t recognize this as a minifigure but collectors do)

1995 - First Minifigure with Crown – Sir Richard the Lion Heart - Set #6008

1996 - First Minifigure with a Nose – Flatfoot Thompson – Western Theme - Bandit – Coyote Gang Member - Set #6769 or Tim – Time Traveler Assistant of Dr. Cyber – Set #6492. *Both Sets Were Available  in August 1996. Flatfoot Thompson Appeared 2 Pages Before Tim in 1996 UK Catalog. 

1997 - First Minifigure of ethnicity or Specific Race - “Indians”/ “Native Americans” - Set #6718

1999 - First Licensed Minifigure Character – Star Wars – *Darth Maul and Qui-Gon Jinn - Set #7101 - *No Specific Character Can Be Confirmed

1999 - First Molded Head - Opposed to Traditional Cylinder - Jar Jar Binks -  Set #7121

1999 – First “BigFig” Minifigure – Rock Monster – Rock Raiders Theme – Set #4950

2000 - First Minifigure with Torso Covered by Head – Chewbacca – Set #3342

2000 – First Non-Fictional Specific Person – *Steven Spielberg - First Issued Set #1349 - *No Confirmation That This is Steven Spielberg.

2001 - First Giant “Oversized” Minifigure – Hagrid – First Issued Set #4707

2001 - First Minifigure with 2 Faces Printed on head – Professor Quirrell – First Issued Set #4702

2002 - First Minifigure with Short Legs – Master Yoda – Set #7103 / TRN079 – Boy on Platform -  First Issued Set # 4534 - *Cannot determine which Character was first released

2003 - First Minifigure with Natural Skin Tone - opposed too yellow- NBA - Set #3500

2003 - First Minifigure with Belly Button (Fat) – Jabba the Hut – First Issued Set #4480

2003 - First Spring Loaded Hips and Longer Arms– NBA Players - Set #3432

2006 - First Minifigure with Block Head (Sandwich Board) – SpongeBob Square Pants-  Set #3825

2009- First Micro-Figure - Board game figures Red, Blue, White and yellow - First issued Set #3838 Lava Dragon

2010 - First Minifigure with Long Legs–Woody – Set #7590

2010 – First Nano-Figure – Karate Master Series 2 Minifigure - (trophy)

2016 - First Wheel Chair Minifigure - First Issued Set #60134

 

*Where denoted “First Issued Set” = Actual First Set

 

* Where denoted “Set” = No Verification on Actual First Set #.

1.Gives an Example of Figure.

2. Gives Example of Figures in Theme.

3. Gives Example of Minifigure. Same Minifigure That Was Released at the Same Time in different Sets, No Real First Set, But This is the Minifigure.

4. First Set Can Not Be Confirmed.

 

SumoLego

Istokg said:

Corp., Company, Group, Ltd., AG, GmbH, Pty., LLC, virtually same meaning.... just different strokes for different folks.... Different countries have different incorporation nomenclature and processes, but they're all essencially just companies.... I'm sure everyone knew what I meant.

@Istokg - Just start with: I know I am wrong, but allow me to explain how and why I am wrong...

And you shouldn't cite Wikipedia.  It's also wrong.  When is @TigerMothipedia going to debut?

(BTW - I know what you meant.)

Fauch

huh

1993 - First Minifigure with a Name – “Majisto” - Set #6048 - Known as Merlin in UK Catalog

1989 - First Minifigure with Different Hands/Legs – Pirate - Captain Red Beard - Set #6251

maybe I missed it, but don't think I saw :

minifigs with back printing.
minifigs with arms printing (cmf mime in 2010?)
minifigs with side legs printing (cmf series 2 in 2010?)
double molded arms (simpsons series in 2014?)
double molded legs (I think it was last year)

BlockedUp

1989 - First Minifigure with Different Hands/Legs – Pirate - Captain Red Beard - Set #6251 = hook for a hand and a peg leg instead of traditional leg.

BlockedUp

1993 - First Minifigure with a Name – “Majisto” - Set #6048 - Known as Merlin in UK Catalog = First Minifig Lego gave an actual name to...he went by a different name in the UK..."Merlin".

Fauch

I meant "Red Beard" sounds like a name to me

BlockedUp

I'll investigate...not sure when he was named this...

BlockedUp

Now that I think of it...I think another pirate was given a name in the 1989 Catalog too...I'll check back.

BlockedUp

Good Catch...Named in 1989 UK Catalog Bo'Sun Will - Pirate - Set 6235. Same Catalog names a Blue coat Governor Broadside in set 6245.

BlockedUp

REDBEARD was not named Redbeard until later. Only known as pirate Captain when first released.

BlockedUp

I'm also seeing Bo'Sun popping up as another figure in a database...

BlockedUp

Not clear in catalog wether it is Governor Broadside himself in the boat or just his boat.

BlockedUp

That set can not be counted as Given or Boardside...they show who Governor Boardside on Page 10, so that isn't a different version as I thought maybe it could be... it's just his boat.

BlockedUp

So Governor Boardside would be set #6274

Istokg

SumoLego said:

Istokg said:

Corp., Company, Group, Ltd., AG, GmbH, Pty., LLC, virtually same meaning.... just different strokes for different folks.... Different countries have different incorporation nomenclature and processes, but they're all essencially just companies.... I'm sure everyone knew what I meant.

@Istokg - Just start with: I know I am wrong, but allow me to explain how and why I am wrong...

And you shouldn't cite Wikipedia.  It's also wrong.  When is @TigerMothipedia going to debut?

(BTW - I know what you meant.)

Wikipedia?  I don't bother with that.... I used years of research on the LEGO subsidiaries/licensees of different countries, for my Unofficial LEGO Sets/Parts Collectors Guide... Chapter 73 - LEGO Sales by Country.... ;-)

http://www.youblisher.com/p/599853-LEGO-DVD-Download-Chapter-73-LEGO-Sales-By-Country/

stet

The 1978 space sets had the same printed red and white astronaut figures that set #928 had so one of them should be considered as the first instead.

BlockedUp

stet said:

The 1978 space sets had the same printed red and white astronaut figures that set #928 had so one of them should be considered as the first instead.

*Where denoted “First Issued Set” = Actual First Set

 

* Where denoted “Set” = No Verification on Actual First Set #.

1.Gives an Example of Figure.

2. Gives Example of Figures in Theme.

3. Gives Example of Minifigure. Same Minifigure That Was Released at the Same Time in different Sets, No Real First Set, But This is the Minifigure.

4. First Set Can Not Be Confirmed.

BlockedUp

I do see in the 1989 Medium US Catalog they name Captain Red Beard on Page 6

jhuntin1

Low-hanging fruit, but...

2016 - First Baby Minifigure - First Issued Set #60134

Istokg

OK.... as a LEGO author (and working on a new project)... I was just wondering... BlockedUp.... you've been on this forum only 2 1/2 weeks, and all 35 or so posts of yours have been on this one single thread.

Since you're a newbie here, let me ask the question... is all this information going towards a book or other venture?  And one would hope that you are not going to disappear from this forum once you get all your questions answers?

No disrespect intended... just inquisitive..... ;-)

Tom79

1984 - First Minifigure with Apron/Also Used as First Cape - Black Smith - Black Smith Shop - First Issued Set #6040 (Used as a cape in 1986 on Castle Maiden – Set #6067)

1986 - First Minifigure with Cape - Castle Maiden – First issued Set #6067

That apron/cape was already used as cape in 1984's #6080 King's Castle...

BlockedUp

Tom79...I'm not seeing it on any of the figures in set #6080. Which figure has it?

BlockedUp

Hi Istokg...Just a collector...wanting to know more about what I am collecting and future peices I will acquire or want to acquire. Thanks.

Istokg

BlockedUp said:

Hi Istokg...Just a collector...wanting to know more about what I am collecting and future peices I will acquire or want to acquire. Thanks.

Well then BlockedUp... welcome to the group!  Stay around... there's lots to learn!!

Such as this 1979 Garage Set 361 minifig hairpiece... was never put into production... it's not unusual for TLG to use what ends up being prototype pieces for production set boxes... before they decide to change the part...

Istokg

.... and also... the last occurrence of the "minfig stiff" (as I like to call them)... was foun in 1983... the Dutch version of the 1592 promotional set... Town Square.  The black statue in the square is one of those early minifigs, and so 1983 was the last year they were produced....

Tom79

BlockedUp said:

Tom79...I'm not seeing it on any of the figures in set #6080. Which figure has it?

There's four mounted knights in that set, each of them comes with a blue cape, for example (BL):

Breastplate - Red with Black Arms, Red Legs with Black Hips, Dark Gray Grille Helmet, Blue Plume, Blue Cape

Can also be seen in the instructions:
http://www.peeron.com/scans/6080-1/2

Now that I think of it, #6073 Knight's Castle also had this cape in black, I wonder why the mounted knights in #6021 Jousting Knights and #6061 Siege Tower did not receive a cape?

Tom79

I meant to say: #6073 Knight's Castle also had this cape in black and red
And I don't have permission to edit my post?