<p>The book you're looking for is the "Expert Builder Idea Book (8888)". The complete book is available on <a href="http://www.peeron.com/cgi-bin/invcgis/scans/8888-1/?ct=1" rel="noreferrer">Peeron</a>.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-11-26T15:47:17.313Z
You're welcome. I absolutely loved this book, and was always fascinated by the plotter. I don't think that it is any coincidence that I enjoy a career as a programmer, and would site this model as one of the inspirations behind my vocation. I'm delighted to be reminded of it all.
Kramii
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-11-26T16:09:59.897Z
Sadly, I'm not certain that the model in the book was by Larry Page. Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Page) says that Page designed his LEGO plotter whilst at University. The Idea Book was published in 1980 when Page would have been about 7 years old. I don't doubt that a prodigious 7-year-old might come up with a clever LEGO design, but I'm not sure that he would be at University by that age.
Kramii
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-11-26T16:13:08.683Z
I agree. I assume the post in which I read about it probably had the wrong picture (which is the one I've included here), nonetheless, the link you provided was the one I happened to be looking for, thanks again.
Tom Tregenna
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-11-26T15:33:10.693Z
2014-11-26T15:33:10.693Z
Kramii
<p>I had a lot of Lego when I was younger (in the late 80s/90s). In a flash of nostalgia I recently remembered having a great instructions/ideas book that I loved to read through - I can't remember the number, or even if it was an official instruction manual, all I can remember is that it contained information on a 'line plotter', which used a roll of paper and a few pens to draw lines, which at the time I thought was amazing - I may have even built it.</p>
<p>I've been able to find out some information - it appears that the plotter was built by Larry Page (yes, of Google fame!), and I have also managed to find this picture from the book...</p>
<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/S2WJf.jpg" alt="Larry Page's Line Plotter" /></p>
<p>Does anybody else have any information on this book? A PDF would be excellent, but any information would be of interest to me.</p>
<p>Many thanks,</p>

<instructions><design><vintage>
Looking for information on a Lego manual I had as a kid
Tom Tregenna
# Looking for information on a Lego manual I had as a kid

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-11-26)

I had a lot of Lego when I was younger (in the late 80s/90s). In a flash of nostalgia I recently remembered having a great instructions/ideas book that I loved to read through - I can't remember the number, or even if it was an official instruction manual, all I can remember is that it contained information on a 'line plotter', which used a roll of paper and a few pens to draw lines, which at the time I thought was amazing - I may have even built it.

I've been able to find out some information - it appears that the plotter was built by Larry Page (yes, of Google fame!), and I have also managed to find this picture from the book...

![Larry Page's Line Plotter](https://i.sstatic.net/S2WJf.jpg)

Does anybody else have any information on this book? A PDF would be excellent, but any information would be of interest to me.

Many thanks,

**Tags:** instructions, design, vintage


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2014-11-26. Score: 6 | Accepted answer

The book you're looking for is the "Expert Builder Idea Book (8888)". The complete book is available on [Peeron](http://www.peeron.com/cgi-bin/invcgis/scans/8888-1/?ct=1).

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: You're welcome. I absolutely loved this book, and was always fascinated by the plotter. I don't think that it is any coincidence that I enjoy a career as a programmer, and would site this model as one of the inspirations behind my vocation. I'm delighted to be reminded of it all.  
> **username_1**: Sadly, I'm not certain that the model in the book was by Larry Page. Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Page) says that Page designed his LEGO plotter whilst at University. The Idea Book was published in 1980 when Page would have been about 7 years old. I don't doubt that a prodigious 7-year-old might come up with a clever LEGO design, but I'm not sure that he would be at University by that age.  
> **username_0**: I agree. I assume the post in which I read about it probably had the wrong picture (which is the one I've included here), nonetheless, the link you provided was the one I happened to be looking for, thanks again.  

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