TECHNIC is one of The LEGO Company's main lines based on creating detailed model machines and mechanical toys with specialized beams, axles, gears and connectors and primarily designed for older children and adults. The theme was first introduced as the Expert Builder series in 1977, but was officially renamed as TECHNIC in 1984. TECHNIC is still an active theme, and is one of the longest running themes in LEGO history. While most TECHNIC sets are vehicles that use pieces to mimic real vehicles, such as engine pieces, suspension, pneumatic, and transmission pieces, the TECHNIC parts have been used by various other System themes as well as LEGO Mindstorms.
2000 LEGO Sets
The turn of the millennium was an important year for LEGO. Not only did LEGO produce some investible sets for 2000, we saw some transition in the company. First, set designer and the inventor of the minifigure, Jens Nygaard Knudsen, retired from The LEGO Group. Second, The British Association of Toy Retailers name the LEGO brick "Toy of the Century". With 2000 LEGO released just a couple of new themes including TECHNIC Roboriders and Race. The Rock Raiders, Nijna and the Slizer/Throwbots themes were discontinued.