You may have heard that there is some controversy around the Moon landings. According to Wikipedia: The Moon landing conspiracy theories claim that some or all elements of the Apollo program and the associated Moon landings were hoaxes staged by NASA with the aid of other organizations. The most notable claim is that the six manned landings (1969–1972) were faked and that twelve Apollo astronauts did not actually walk on the Moon. Various groups and individuals have made such conspiracy claims since the mid-1970s. Conspiracy theorists claim that NASA and others knowingly misled the public into believing the landings happened, by manufacturing, tampering with, or destroying evidence including photos, telemetry tapes, radio and TV transmissions, Moon rock samples, and even some key witnesses. You can read the rest of the article with all the fascinating Moon landing conspiracy theories on this Wikipedia page.
So what does this has to do with LEGO? Well, LEGO fan Brian Williams recreated some of the key aspects of what Moon landing conspiracy theorists are claiming; that the images from the Moon were actually photographed in a soundstage or aircraft hangar. Conspiracy theorists point to odd shadows, reflections and other inconsistencies in the footage as proof that the manned Moon landing was faked. Brian recreated this scene with amazing detail and accuracy. Take a look below.
This diorama has been part of the popular LEGO Area 51 exhibit (named after the infamous and super secret military site), and featured prominently in promotional advertising for the various 2014 BrickWorld shows. After all everybody loves a good conspiracy theory, and recreated in LEGO they are irresistibly fun. Note the bicycle chase scene on top from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and there are other movie references inside the buildings. The studio itself includes miniature versions of actual video-production studio equipment including Mole-Richardson 1K Lamps, lighting-control board, stands, rigging, and studio camera.
You can find more images at Brian’s flickr gallery, which I think is worth checking out; Brian has some amazing LEGO creations, including depicting some other famous conspiracy theories and movie-scenes.
So what do you think? Did we really land on the Moon? Will we ever go back? Or was that all a big hoax? Would you like to see the space program expanding? And do you know of any other conspiracy theories remade in LEGO? Feel free to share and discuss in the comment section below! 😉
Ah, conspiracy theories, the media’s way of drawing attention to nothing. If it was a big hoax, they did a pretty darn good job of never mentioning it or revealing it. The media usually digs up all the annoying details of the “truth” and blabs it out the the universe. So how come there isn’t a “big story” showing all the evidence going about on the news? I think we actually landed on the moon, I mean, where’s the reason we couldn’t have? Either way, all we have to do is wait till I have enough money to make my repulser-lift ship, then I’ll go land on the moon and end this nonsense.
Also, admin, under the first picture, there’s a semicolon in that sentence that should be a colon. It should be: “…theorists are claiming: that…” 😉
Yes, we should build a spaceship and find out for sure! That’s the only way to do it! I like my semicolon better. 😉
Two important rules of the Internet are: (1) don’t argue with grammar nuts and (2) don’t argue with admins. Let’s see how their intersection pans out. 🙂
You’re free to prefer your style of punctuation, but your use of the semi-colon there doesn’t follow the rules of traditional English composition.
A colon is normally used to combine two sentences. Unfortunately, “that the images from the Moon were actually photographed in a soundstage or aircraft hangar,” cannot stand on its own as a sentence. Therefore, that use of a semi-colon is incorrect even if it’s personally preferred.
https://practicaltypography.com/semicolons-and-colons.html
More relevantly though, that’s a pretty amazing MOC. I’m especially impressed by the interior lighting.
Also, for once a stiff American flag is not merely a compromise with model-making at small scales. It actually matches the flag made to “fly” on the windless surface of the moon!
Curby, that’s a fun observation about the flag! Haven’t thought of it, but yeah, it finally matches something in real life. As far as punctuation and stuff, I make up my own words and rules sometimes. I guess it just comes with being a blogger. Languages are dynamic and change all the time. Of course grammar nuts will disagree with me. But it’s my blog, so I make the rules. 🙄
When you think about the flag “flying” you should also think about, 1. When Neil placed the flag down he must have disturbed the cloth and made it look like it was waving, and 2. The Moon doesn’t have as much gravity as earth so it didn’t hang down as it might have in a studio.
I thought they had the flag suspended on a frame, isn’t it?
Re: conspiracy theorists, politics, and religion, you can’t argue with people who have already decided on their beliefs. Beliefs, like language, are what you make them. That’s why I prefer the evidence-based exploration of reality, a.k.a. science.
“Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn’t go away.”
Relevant:
http://www.thisisnotaconspiracytheory.com/
Btw, thanks for having the grace to not point out my typo above. I meant to say, “A semicolon is normally used to combine two sentences. “
Curby, love that quote! Thanks for sharing! I agree that it is very difficult to change someone’s opinion or belief who’s mind is already made up. And yes, science and exploration are awesome! As you probably know already, I’m not a grammar and typo police type of person. 😉
If it was in a studio, I don’t think they would make it look like it was waving. After all, no one had been to the Moon prior to this so they wouldn’t know how a flag would react. We must remember the Space Race was no small thing. It was worldwide for crying out loud!!! Do you think they risk being found out because of a flag moving (or not moving)?
The funny thing when people try to fake something is that usually it is the smallest thing that they goof on. I read too many detective stories as a kid. 🙄
Ok, you can keep the semicolon. But I still think that needs to be fixed, as the sentence needs something else to make it fit. Sorry, my writing class last year made me into a grammar freak. 😉 😕
How about if I add both? We can have our colons and semi-colons and all be happy. Life is short, why not make up our own grammar rules? After all LEGO fans are a creative bunch! 😛
=P I read this whole conversation. I loved it 😛
Yeah, it was fun. ANd nobody even mentioned E.T. yet! That’s actually my favorite part of the scene! 😛
Duh we were on the moon. Why would someone not believe it? 😐
There are some interesting theories why some people believe the whole thing was a hoax. The Wikipedia article I linked to summarizes is pretty well. Fascinating stuff. There is no way for me to know either way as I have never been to the Moon, so that’s why we have to build a spaceship as BLProductions suggested. 😉
There are all kinds of conspiracy theories on a variety of different topics. You should see the documentary on how the current Paul McCartney isn’t the REAL Paul McCartney. You almost think it could be real because it’s so detailed but then the other part of you is like, this is ridiculous! LOL.
Wait… what? 😯
Oh, also I was going to tell you that I got my yellow scooter. I was at BrickWorld this past weekend and picked up three printed BrickForge scooters, including the yellow one. So happy. 😛
Awesome, I’m glad you got it!
The documentary was on Netflix like 2 years ago or something. We watched it sitting around during Christmas one year. It was pretty entertaining the lengths that they went to to prove that this was true. Almost too detailed to be true.
Interesting. I should check it out. 🙂
If you can’t find it, just Google “Paul McCartney Conspiracy Theory” and you’ll find it.
Thanks! 😀
That conspiracy theory has been strong for quite a while now. It might even outlive Elvis Presley. 😉
Naw, Elvis will live forever!
(I love the filming scene though)
I really enjoyed looking at Brian’s flickr page. He’s really exceptionally talented, both at photography and LEGO builds! I especially enjoyed his Hogans Heroes sets, considering that thats one of my all time favorite TV shows. 🙂
About the theories, first off it is really easy for a creative bunch of theorists to, “prove,” anything. They can nit pick at whatever they want and make a reason for it. So even though I don’t claim to deny any evidence, I’d have to really mull it over, and even then it has a big chance of not proving anything whatsoever. Second, the odds of people thinking the moon landing was a hoax, seems much greater then nasa making up multiple moon landings. Also, what with science fiction media and stuff, you’d think they would fake a mars landing by now. I mean, if the moon wasn’t too big to fake, how do they define their limits, wouldn’t they have prentended to go on other planets too? And what was their purpose? Just a big fat immature joke? To make us believe we were bigger then we are? And I think scientists would know if we were not able to go in space, and if we are able to go in space, was nasa like, “Hey, I know what we should do! We’ll fake it instead, we can make a super mini rocket ship out of a bottle, make it look big on camera, and shoot it upwards using baking soda and vinegar! Yeah, it would be a lot more benefitial to mankind if we carried some rocks and grey sand in here then if we actually walked on the moon.” Like I said before nasa would have to have some big purpose for faking it. If the scientists are in on it too, there has to be some way the secret would have leaked by now I would think. I’ll have to check out the other side of the debate.
Rethinking it, the moon landing fakes could make sense, just if the true reason behind it was big enough. And did it work on us? Have we been sub conciously changed? Now I can’t stop thinking about it 🙂
Sorry for commenting again, but I was thinking maybe there wouldn’t have to be a big reason for it, because it wouldn’t be that hard for a well equipped group to fake it. The hard part would be keeping it a secret. Nasa could be one big joke, but it could also be legit. I don’t know the specific facts so I can’t really compare the sides.
That’s perfectly fine. I knew this topic will get some of you interested. And yes, you are right; the reason must we very big and important. Like it must be altering our way of life. So that would be an interesting research; how did the Moon Landing effect us? Like there are also people who believe 9/11 was a setup to introduce all the spying and control and erosion of the Constitution, and people accept them without a fight, because they believe these are a neccessary evil that we need to accept for our security and protection. I hope that’s not true, because it would be really evil, but it at least makes us think critically and not just blindly accept everything that comes out of the TV. And also gives us a subject for awesome LEGO creations. 😉
My understanding from the Wikipedia article is that there was a huge space-race between Russia and the USA at that time, plus it was in the middle of the Cold War. It did make a significant difference as far as being the #1 World Power who will win the race. It was in the best interest of the USA to win it. Whether it was real or fake I don’t know, but they definitely had a a very strong reason to win. And when people really want to win they can resort to shady methods. Look at that biker guy Lance Armstrong. I followed his career closely as I’m a biker myself and he was my inspiration. How much deceit and lies he kept up! And for decades! Really sad. But you are right about having to keep up so much deceit amongst so many departments and scientists – that’s not easy. The Wikipedia article also has a list of people who were close to the project and mysteriously disappeared or died. Again, I really don’t know one way or another, but it is interesting. The Wikipedia article provides information from both sides of the debate. It’s a good reading.
Wow, really interesting, thanks.
Now, just make sure you don’t start thumbling down the rabbit-hole. 🙄
I agree with multiple of your points. But I get the idea that NASA did actually send rockets into space, as there were people present there to witness it (actual pedestrians). The chance that they would all be asked to keep their silence about it is absurd, AND what about the fact that people WALKED into the ship? How can you fake that? At least, given the technology in the ’70s. So if the rockets are real, and they were launched into space, what was the point of not going anywhere? Why not shoot for the moon? They had the equipment.
Also, if NASA was faking the rockets, why did one of them blow up while launching? I doubt they would kill people just to give evidence that they were indeed launching real rockets, and they’re not fakes.
On the other side, sure, NASA could have faked anything they wanted with the help of the US government (which wouldn’t surprise me, given the gov.’s track record). And of course they could have paid hush money, and blew up people and faked footage. But it all sounds like a lot of Hamlogna to me. The one thing I don’t know about is: who filmed the guys on the moon? Was it another astronaut? 😕
Yes, those are good points. I don’t know enough about the subject, but it is interesting stuff.
there was actually a camera built into the shuttle, so right before he stepped out, Neil Armstrong he activated the camera to get a shot of him stepping onto the Moon.
Hey, BrickBlogger, could we please just keep this about Lego? The last thing this awesome website needs is some paranoid loons chiming in with their limited and knowledge & understanding of history and science. There are plenty of other sites that cover conspiracy theories. The MOC above is cute and cool, and it deserves mentioning, but encouraging discussion into whether or not these conspiracies are true took it to another level. Please stick with what you do best. Pretty please? Thanks.
Bruce, no worries, we are sticking with LEGO. This is an awesome MOC though, and an interesting topic to choose for a LEGO creation. So it is natural to talk about it just a little bit. A lot of LEGO fans are into space related creations (I’m a huge Classic Space fan myself) and space travel is probably something we all dreamed about. Maybe right here we will come up with a collaboration for an awesome LEGO Space MOC that will include a trip to the Moon! Please forgive our nerdishness. 😉
I’m a paranoid loon? 😀 I’m cool with that.
LOL! I always knew that LEGO fans are great. Nerds, loons, spacemen – all AWESOME! 😛
I’m not paranoid…I’m Batman. A very nerdy Batman, but that’s okay. 🙂
On that topic, can I write an article about the new 2015 pieces? Some of them are very interesting.
Sure, why not? Sounds like an interesting article – something a very nerdy Batman would write.
This theory was referenced in some James Bond movie, as well. It might have been the one with George Lazenby.
I’m pretty sure it was actually part of several movies, and of course books too, as a plot or sub-plot.
In the Bond movie, it was basically a throwaway gag. Bond stumbles onto the studio, hi-jacks a moon car, runs through the walls and drives away, chased through the desert…
I only believe the first moon landing, but twelve Apollo astronauts? Not buying it. I could write a whole post of the topic and me thinking of it, but I’m too lazy 😛 . I really liked the LEGO-ified versions of the base and the scenes. 🙂
Think about it. NASA needed to have enough witnesses to proclaim that the moon landing was real and enough personal to man the shuttle. Solution? Put 12 men on the spacecraft. Plus, the only reasons I can think of to fake the Moon landing is, winning the space race, and putting faith in our government. But those doesn’t work because, 1. Why didn’t we hear about sending people on before they did it? The logical conclusion is that they didn’t want Russia to hear about it. Surely they would have announced it ahead of time to make them nervous had it been a studio production. 2. I don’t think president kennedy would have risked being found out as a fraud.
3. If the Government had done it to restore faith in the people, then why would it fake deaths of civilians? I used to live next to a school named after a teacher who died in a shuttle explosion while going into space. Why would they do that?
Answer: The Moon landing was real, and so were all the other ones.
p.s. I saw a shuttle launch once, and it would seem pretty hard to fake that!:)
Wikipidia’s article about the Moon Landings (both manned and unmanned) is really interesting: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_landing. One section that caught my eye is the intense pressure the USA was under at that time as they were seemingly loosing the race against Russia. It is under the header Political Background. The USA Strategy and Soviet Strategy sections are also very informative.
The intensity of the Space Race that was happening at that time cannot be underestimated. Must have been really exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time! I know my generation was fully expecting to have regular shuttles to the Moon and even greater space-explorations. Unfortunately all of that died down, although the recent Mars Missions are really awesome!
I read a very interesting discussion on Reddit how much these missions actually costs. It is staggering. Unless we find something to help recoup the cost, it is pretty much impossible to finance or even justify these missions. Unmanned missions though are getting cheaper and more streamlined with the advancement of technology, so I guess that’s where the future is.
The moon landing did happen. The reason why we can be sure about it is that the Russians never said they didn’t believe the Americans didn’t go to the moon. And if you know that back then it was not the biggest love between the two country’s you would know that if they would have had a doubt about it, they would have said so…
George, that’s actually a good point. The Russians would be first to try to dispute it.
US faked the Moon landings in a Hollywood film studio, because they didn’t have enough technology or resources to compete with Soviet Union in the space race. It’s that simple.