Why the ThinkPad 701 became a cult legend in computer history

Someone 3D printed the case out of metal; the community needs only to get the keyboard mechanism published and then everyone can have one with a framework laptop brain

Why did the Thinkpad 701 become a cult legend in computer history?

It was the expanding butterfly keyboard that gave you an 11.5" wide keyboard from a 10" wide laptop. Super cool for its day, but not really a problem that needs solving anymore. Nobody seems to be clamoring for the nipple mouse anymore either.