The LEGO LEGOLAND theme, introduced in the 1970s and continuing into the 1980s, comprised sets that replicated everyday scenes, vehicles, and buildings in a more simplistic style than later themes. These sets, pre-dating the minifigure era, were designed to represent various aspects of life, from towns to vehicles to castles. The LEGOLAND theme was foundational in the evolution of LEGO, bridging the gap between basic brick building and the more themed, narrative-driven sets that would become standard in subsequent years.
1974 LEGO Sets
In 1974, LEGO released several new sets and themes, including the LEGO Universal Building Set, which included a range of new bricks in different shapes and colors. 1974 was also the year that LEGO introduced the LEGO Technic theme, which focused on building complex, mechanically-themed models such as cars, airplanes, and construction equipment. The Technic theme introduced new elements such as gears, levers, and motors, which allowed for more realistic, functional models. Other notable sets and themes released by LEGO in 1974 included the LEGO Space theme, which expanded upon the Space sets released in previous years, and the LEGO Trains theme, which introduced the first LEGO electric trains.