Only
a few new parts were included in the sets of 1978. By
far the
most important is the axle pin, pictured. As the name
suggests,
this part has a 1L axle at one end, and a frictionless pin
at the
other. The primary use of this pin is for supporting
wheels, but
many other uses would follow, including the use as a rack
gear keeper
(to hold it down) on set 855. For many years, this
part was
available only in light gray.
Also new for 1978 were the hose, the string, and the rubber
band.
The hose (black)
is approximately the diameter of an axle, so it fits through
a standard
Technic beam hole. The string is really more than
standard
string. Its braided design makes it strong and stiff,
so it
doesn't stretch much under load. This string is still
in use
today, virtually always as crane or winch cable. The
rubber
band, which might not sound too exciting, is used for a
number of uses
including to preload a pawl into a ratchet.
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