When the Commodore PET was announced back in 1977, the world probably didn't realise how much of a huge impact it was going to make. They probably didn't realise that the year 2001 wasn't going to be that great, and they definitely wouldn't have realised that it would one day get its own LEGO design over on the LEGO Ideas page.
Enter 91-Brickdesigns, a designer who has brought this personal computing icon to life in brick form, complete with its cassette deck, monitor, and chunky keyboard in the all-in-one design that makes the PET 2001 seem like something from a Star Destroyer in Star Wars. When you think about Laptops these days, and how streamlined Apple Macs are, the design is just wild. But like the VCR with the controller on a wire that my Grandma had, tech has to start somewhere. And if it weren't for this computer, I probably wouldn't be sitting here typing on this Mac to you now.
91-Brickdesigns' set is made up of 2,800 pieces and looks incredibly retro. It's instantly recognisable as the PET 2001 and takes you back to the dawn of computing. It also comes with a joystick, which is a nice touch and adds even more of a retro gaming feel to an already established retro icon. I love the fact that it comes with plugs and cables too, as well as ports on the back of the computer. The attention to detail is amazing, and nowhere is that more clean than when you open it up to look inside.
A nice little easter egg for tech fans is that you can open up this LEGO set just like on the original computer and see the motherboard inside the PET, the circuitry inside the monitor, and even remove a little cassette from the tape deck. I'm a huge fan of bringing the past to life in LEGO form, especially when you can champion physical media like cassettes along the way, and this set is a perfect tribute to a true tech giant. 91-Brickdesigns has really put a lot of thought into this set - I can tell they're a true enthusiast without even meeting them, and it really makes a difference!
At the time of writing (after putting in my vote of support, too), the Commodore PET 2001 has 78 votes and hasn't even been online for 24 hours. It has 60 days to reach 100 supporters (which I think it will probably do in a couple of hours at this rate), and then a further 365 to reach 1,000. Once the idea reaches 10,000 supporters, it will go in front of the LEGO Ideas judging panel for review. Here's hoping they're all as big fans of retro computing as we are, and this set comes to shop shelves in the near future!
Head to the LEGO Ideas page to show your support for free!
