8400 – Labor Lectron 1

The Labor Lectron 1 (8400) model was the crowning achievement of Egger’s Lectron System product line.  The 8400 was a model which combined the 8000, 8100, and 8200 models.  The initial announcement shown above for the 8400 included four external connector blocks which would be later replaced by four other blocks when the 8400 was formally released to the marketplace. The fourth row from the top and on the right shows the four blocks that were later substituted out. Other prototype differences shown in the graphic to the left included the lack of the resistor, capacitor, and transistor test blocks (Steckbaustein) and the 3 standard size block length straight connecting blocks. The announcement also stated that two instruction manuals were provided. There was only one manual provided in the productized Egger and Braun 8400. The model 8500 which was released in the Netherlands did have the two instruction manuals included.

The grandfather and grandson graphic was replaced in the productized version with a very simple white cardboard sleeve with the Egger Lectron trademark logo on it. A transparent plastic cover surrounded the Styrofoam block mold. The ‘white sleeve’ models used this same packaging approach. As the 8400 had been designed with the academic community in mind, it contained one instruction manual, two blue edged deluxe base plates, and two battery blocks to support two students using the same unit.

The productized version also added an additional seven blocks.  These blocks would further enhance experimentation by allowing the student to insert their own components into circuits to observe different results.

There were two versions of the Egger 8400.  The first version is shown above.  The second version (shown below) filled in the center block gap of the left rows one – six with five new blocks.  They were all steckbaustein (test) blocks consisting of three PNP transistor blocks, one inductor block, and one electrolytic capacitor block.  Now budding engineers could substitute a real variety of different value components to observe their effects on the circuit’s performance and action.  The Egger Labor Lectron 1 was no toy and was designed to fill a major pedagogical gap for teaching electronics in the academic setting. The second version of the 8400 was also sold by Braun until it was discontinued by the 1969-APR-15 price list.