Knot again!

For years the classic knot puzzle has befuddled the brains of countless kids (and adults) all over the world - or not, as the case may be for some of you. But today is the first time I've ever seen one of these puzzles built out of LEGO. O0ger is the culprit and here is the video of the brick-built mini masterpiece being solved: 

The wheels on the bus

This Hungarian Credo Econell 12 bus was built by Gabor Horvath in 1:24 scale, and judging from the source photos, it's a very accurate replica of the real vehicle. Making it even more interesting, the whole bus is remote-controlled and can be driven and steered (the doors can also be opened/closed remotely). 

Take a look at the video below to see all the functions in action, then head over to MOCPages for more images, including shots of all the Technic mechanisms that make the bus work. The amount of Technic work crammed into this frame is incredible. 

Cloudless 3V step-by-step build videos by Nick Trotta

Nick Trotta (tardisblue) has released a three-part YouTube video detailing the build process of his "Cloudless 3V" Vic Viper. I haven't watched it yet but the commenters on Flickr have plenty of great things to say:

Sir, you are a wizard. Some of those parts combos and stud reversals to make the math right are next level stuff. And how generous of you to take the time to do this in real-time. We're going to see things people learned in this build all over.
- Chris Maddison

Absolutely stunning. I watched the videos in their entirety, and I have to say, I am amazed. Not only is the build phenomenal, but I really admire that you took the time and effort to make the videos showing how the model is built. Bravo! Very, very inspiring.
- Kevin Moyer (Rambles of Orange)

Click here to go to Nick's Flickr post where he talks about the videos. You can watch the individual videos on YouTube at the following links:
Part 1- youtu.be/ovNaaGRgwFQ
Part 2- youtu.be/WwHBxMFclbQ
Part 3- youtu.be/goD3HdeG63o

And here's an image of this incredible build:

Return to the Crocodile Cage

Flickr user Dubbadgrim has built this awesome scene inspired by the classic Pirates set 6246 Crocodile Cage. 

And, see that bone sticking up out of the ground on the left there? Click here to find out what it does. (It's pretty cool. I'm still trying to figure out how it works!)

Vintage Bike MOC tutorial by KosBrick

KosBrick has posted a YouTube video showing how to build his Vintage Bike MOC. 

There are some great techniques in this compact build, and making one for yourself will no doubt give you some ideas of your own. Go try it! 

Unbelievable magic tricks with an iPad and LEGO bricks

Magician Simon Pierro used an iPad and the new LEGO Fusion app and sets to perform some awesome magic tricks. Check out the video below:

I personally think this is pretty cool. 

Orange, orange, orange, orange... green?

What could this mean for the Torang Prime mining plant?

Here's a nicely done brickfilm by Jam Pot Studios. It won 10th place out of 44 entries in BRAWL 2014. I like everything from the plot and characters to the scenery and effects. 

Check out Jam Pot Studios' YouTube channel via the link above for more awesome stop-motion action! 

The Aggravation of Smaug

Check out this awesome stop-motion Brickfilm made by LEGO and BrotherhoodWorkshop. It's a humorous take on the battle with Smaug from the Hobbit movies. 

BrotherhoodWorkshop has a very interesting behind-the-scenes video as well. 

Everything is NOT awesome [Editorial]

Update- as of October 9th, 2014, LEGO has ended its partnership with Shell, claiming they want no involvement with Shell or Greenpeace. Read more on The Brick Fan or The LEGO Car Blog. 

Though this blog has a fun, playful tone (it is about a toy and an art form, after all), today I'm using it to address a real-life (but still, of course, LEGO-related) issue. 

The video above is fantastic... and it tells of a real problem. 

Greenpeace is asking LEGO to sever its ties with oil company Shell, who is "polluting our kids' imaginations" through their associations with LEGO. You can click here to learn more and to sign a petition to try and help stop LEGO's partnership with Shell. This is an important issue and I'm glad to see someone addressing it in such a peaceful, useful manner. 

Here's what Greenpeace said regarding this video on YouTube: 

http://www.legoblockshell.org/?ytv1

We love LEGO. You love LEGO. Everyone loves LEGO. 

But when LEGO's halo effect is being used to sell propaganda to children, especially by an unethical corporation who are busy destroying the natural world our children will inherit, we have to do something.

http://www.legoblockshell.org/?ytv1

Children's imaginations are an unspoilt wilderness. Help us stop Shell polluting them by telling LEGO to stop selling Shell-branded bricks and kits today. Sign our petition athttp://www.legoblockshell.org/?ytv1

Greenpeace is calling on LEGO to end its partnership with Shell to Save the Arctic