Citations › Citation ID: 126

C126. BOOK: Daniel Konstanski, The Secret Life of LEGO Bricks: The Inside Story of a Design Icon (Unbound, 2022), p. 197.

Two new components were developed specifically for the massive mining set, both relating to its bucket wheel, the construction of which proved challenging. After multiple prototypes, each of which ended up having a fatal flaw, the set’s designer created a curved gear rack which, with four copies, could be assembled into a full, smooth circle. This part went on to be a foundational element in the Ultimate Concept line: the giant turntable could be placed horizontally so that huge models could sit on it.

11x11 35-Tooth 1/4 Gear Ring (part 24121) was created for #42055 Bucket Wheel Excavator, but also to be used horizontally as a massive turntable.