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 rubbber
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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