At this point, I think its worth reflecting back to a time before the blog, in the late 90's, when my first tentative steps on the internet were primarily to discover more about my favourite toys; Spacex and Project SWORD. In the first few hours of being online, I discovered a tantalisingly comprehensive page covering everything I was looking to discover. Most importantly, it gave me the name of a fellow enthusiast, Mr P Woods.
Although Woodsys early checklist was spartan in the extreme (no pictures!!) it did help me get an idea of the full extent of both the Spacex and SWORD lines. Shortly after discovering the page, I made contact with Woodsy and the rest as they say is history.
But for now, take a look at Woodsys original magnum opus (although not the very first edition, its the only surviving example) and see the roots from which the blog eventually sprung.
(Incidentally, any contact addresses and emails are now defunct - some of the values are a little off the mark too..)
This is just so epic.
ReplyDeleteBack in 2003, I had come across a curious space-themed annual online called Project SWORD, which included some cool stills from 2001: A Space Odyssey. A search further and there was The Checklist by Mr. Woods. The sheer enthusiasm and conciseness of the list just blew me away there and then. I felt instantly connected.
Next summer in 2004, I found my first SWORD sitting in the window of a toy shop in Edinburgh (a Task Force 1 it was). From that moment on, Project SWORD was GO for me, in a big way.
Because of the outdated email address, it took another five years until I contacted Woodsy for the first time. Until the launch of the Moonbase Central, I thought that all SWORD was included there in the Checklist - a belief which was kind of a driving force as it all seemed limited in number and therefore easily attainable. Little did I know. Writing this, a decade later, the Project is still very much in progress.
So it all started with The Checklist. During these past eight years with the Moonbase C, it has been great to see that none of that initial enthusiasm and spark has been lost, thanks to the dynamic admin trio of Woodsy, Wotan, and Scoop, with the help of the fellow Swordheads. With every new posting, the universe of SWORD is still expanding.
Thanks Arto. Its that kind of reception which makes it a joy to blog. New material is being discovered almost daily, right across the broad range of themes and toy lines we cover, but most importantly, Woodsys enthusiasm and drive is just as powerful as it was back in '97. Its a pleasure for me too to be along for the ride.
ReplyDeleteHeres to what 2015 will bring...