About LEGO Universal Building Set Basic Set
The LEGO Universal Building Set Basic Sets theme, active from 1966 to 1977, provided a foundation for creative building with a variety of versatile bricks and elements. These sets were designed to encourage open-ended construction and imagination, featuring an assortment of basic bricks, plates, windows, and doors. They allowed builders to create anything from simple structures to more complex models, laying the groundwork for LEGO's emphasis on creativity and versatility. Key sets in this theme include 088 4.5V Super Set, which introduced motorized components powered by a 4.5-volt battery, enhancing the complexity and functionality of LEGO creations.
1966 LEGO Sets
1966 marked yet another important year for LEGO. Not only did the international expansion reach an all-time high with now 42 countries selling LEGO, 1966 was the year LEGO officially released the Train theme. With the advent of the improved 4.5 V electric motor and housing, thanks to the engineering of the LEGO Futura and the process development lab, the introduction of LEGO trains was a natural fit. LEGO developed a number of new elements for the train system, including hook couplers, flanged wheels and, of course, a track system. Several train sets, such as the 113. 114 and 115, were released in 1966 and LEGO began to feature the new system in its catalogs and idea books. The trains, were popular enough, especially in Europe, that LEGO expanded the system with several accessories, most notably an electronic control unit that controlled the motor by a high-pitched whistle.