Time for another LEGO record with a 45,000-brick sundial
Staying on schedule and reliable timekeeping go hand in hand. For thousands of years, human beings have measuring the minutes, with the Ancient Egyptians among the first to nail down a foolproof method of keeping track of time. In Egypt’s Valley of the Kings, the earliest known sundials, so-called ‘shadow clocks’, were discovered and dated to be from approximately 1500 BC. Relying only on a clear day, sundials are among mankind’s most ingenious inventions, with a design that’s never needed perfecting. However, that didn’t stop the Lego-loving team from Playable Design from turning their hand to a record-breaking update in brick form.
A welcome addition to one of Beijing’s thriving art districts, this impressive sundial is the work of Playable Design, an independent organisation that utilises Lego bricks in learning. They use the beloved bricks in all manner of educational programmes, introducing youngsters to the sciences in an interactive way that also inspires them to ask questions and pursue learning independently.
This spectacular sundial was three months in the making, with an in-depth design stage that brought in the expertise of mechanical engineers and astronomers to ensure the final product was fit for purpose. Construction itself began on Guinness World Record Day, an event originally established to encourage budding record breakers to brave a chance at busting an existing record from the top spot, or turn their hand to setting one in a brand new category.
Playable Design might have opted for the latter approach, but the result means the bar has been set very high indeed. Thought your Lego brick builds were expansive? You might want to reconsider ambitions for your next project when you get some perspective on just how complex this sundial build really was. More than 45,000 individual Lego bricks were used in the construction, with the final diameter coming in at 2.91 metres. Every last element of this standout sundial is made from Lego bricks, with a glorious complement of green and yellow ensuring it takes pride of place in the trendy corner of the Chinese capital it now calls home.
Feeling inspired? You’ve your work cut out for you if you’re looking to edge this awesome achievement out of the record books, but it’s a testament to the endless possibilities Lego bricks bring to the table. Think you’ve got a Lego-inspired idea that can catapult you into the renowned reference book? Check to see when the next Guinness World Record Day is being held and have your bricks at the ready.
Largest Lego Sundial
