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The height of the 1x1x1 LEGO brick is 6/5 times its width. Is there any particular reason for these proportions? And especially why not making a cubic brick (it would have made SNOT building easier)?

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In the same line: Why is a plate 1/3 of the brick's height? –  pcantin Nov 4 '11 at 18:50
Probably to simulate real bricks: each of their dimensions are a different length. –  harbichidian Nov 10 '11 at 23:08

1 Answer 1

In the 60s, Lego did produce a separate system for architectural modelling called Modulex which used a 1:1 ratio 5mm cube as its basic brick. It wasn't successful and was discontinued in the late 60s.

I believe the 6:5 was chosen so that studs could fit into the geometry. Related: why the plate is 1/3 of the brick's height. By adding two plates to the height of the brick vertically you can now match the centres of two horizontal units (6+2+2):(5+5)

Lego Dimensions

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Thanks for your answer. Your explanation for the height of a plate is indeed quite convincing. I'm not sure I understand what you mean by studs fitting in the geometry though. Could you please elaborate ? –  Joel Cohen Nov 5 '11 at 4:10
@ghoppe: I'm confused. Didn't the bricks with holes in come years after the plates? Were Lego really planning that far ahead? OTOH, I can't imagine that the geometry you describe is a happy coincidence. –  Kramii Nov 5 '11 at 8:02
From everything I've seen, the geometry is very well thought out and seems to cover all eventualities (or was just very lucky :o) –  Deanna Dec 6 '11 at 10:18
It was a part of an old logo, with the five bands signifying the five 2x2 plates needed to get a 2 brick width. –  SQB Feb 26 '14 at 11:00

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