What was there before AndyMark?

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by DampRobot

IFI was around before AndyMark IIRC.

IFI indeed predates AndyMark; I recall they started supplying the control system around 2000, while AndyMark launched in late 2004 for the 2005 season. However, IFI kept to control system bits until 2005 when it started supplying the kitbot. Optional sheetmetal wheels arrived in 2006 and other bits were added over time, but they didn't really drop the bomb that is VEXpro until late 2012 for the 2013 season.

I wasn't around for the Small Parts era, but I was around for one season before what I term the modern era of kitbots and significant off-the-shelf parts. In 2004, the "kit" drivetrain were those drill gearboxes, some bearing blocks, 2"x4" aluminum extrusion, and some other odd gears that we never quite figured out. It took my rookie team (1293) about five and a half weeks to drive, and there were quite a few teams that weren't even that lucky.

Basically, before you had companies like AndyMark you had to make or modify from scratch a LOT more than you do today. If you didn't have access to a proper machine shop to make your gears/plates/hubs/what-have-you, contending on any real level was a pipe dream.