History of Lego in Timeline
Lego, a popular line of construction toys by the Lego Group (Billund, Denmark), features colorful interlocking plastic bricks made of ABS. These bricks, along with gears, minifigures, and other parts, can be assembled to create diverse objects like vehicles, buildings, and robots. Lego's versatility lies in its reusable pieces, enabling endless creative possibilities through disassembly and reconstruction.
1932: Ole Kirk Christiansen Starts Workshop
Ole Kirk Christiansen, a carpenter from Billund, Denmark, established his workshop in 1932, marking the beginning of what would become the Lego Group.
1934: Company Named "Lego"
In 1934, Christiansen's company was christened "Lego," a name derived from the Danish phrase "leg godt," meaning "play well."
1936: Lego's Motto is Created
Christiansen established the motto "only the best is good enough" in 1936, emphasizing his commitment to quality.
1947: Lego Expands into Plastic Toys
Expanding its offerings, Lego ventured into the production of plastic toys in 1947, a pivotal step towards its future success.
1949: Introduction of "Automatic Binding Bricks"
In 1949, Lego introduced "Automatic Binding Bricks," an early iteration of the iconic interlocking bricks, laying the foundation for its signature product.
1951: Plastic Toys Hit Half of Lego's Output
By 1951, plastic toys constituted half of Lego's production output, marking a significant shift in the toy industry and defying skepticism towards plastic toys.
1954: Godtfred Christiansen Becomes Junior Managing Director
Godtfred Christiansen, Ole Kirk's son, assumed the role of junior managing director of the Lego Group in 1954, bringing a new vision to the company.
January 1958: Modern Lego Brick Design Patented
A pivotal moment in Lego's history arrived in January 1958 with the patent application for the modern Lego brick design, revolutionizing the toy's construction possibilities.
1958: Lego's Universal System
A testament to Lego's enduring design, bricks from 1958 remained compatible with those manufactured in the present day, highlighting the universal and timeless nature of the Lego system.
1963: ABS Plastic Becomes Lego's Material of Choice
In 1963, Lego adopted ABS plastic as the primary material for its bricks, a change that enhanced durability and consistency.
1969: Duplo Product Line Launched
Catering to younger children, Lego introduced the Duplo product line in 1969, featuring larger blocks compatible with standard Lego bricks.
1973: Lego City Makes Its Debut
The year 1973 saw the introduction of Lego City, a line of sets designed to depict everyday life in urban environments, a theme that continues to this day.
1977: Lego Technic Launches, Inspiring Budding Engineers
In 1977, Lego Technic was launched, a line targeted towards replicating intricate machinery and appealing to those interested in engineering and technical builds.
1978: Lego's Patent Expires, Opening Doors for Competitors
A significant event in Lego's history occurred in 1978 when the patent for its iconic bricks expired, paving the way for competitors to produce compatible blocks.
1978: First Lego Minifigures Introduced
In a move that would add character and storytelling to Lego sets, the first minifigures were introduced in 1978, becoming a beloved staple.
1984: First Lego Store Opens in Sydney, Australia
The world's first dedicated Lego retail outlet opened its doors in 1984 in Sydney, Australia. This store, known as The LEGO Centre, Birkenhead Point, featured unique Lego displays and ran until the early 1990s.
1993: Kabooki Founded, Producing "Lego Wear"
Kabooki, a Danish company established in 1993, began producing children's clothing under the brand name "Lego Wear" through a licensing agreement with the Lego Group.
1996: Lego Launches First Website
Lego's online presence began in 1996 with the launch of their first website. Initially an online store and catalog, the site expanded over the years.
1997: Lego Enters the Video Game Market
Lego took its first steps into the video game industry in 1997 by establishing Lego Media International Limited, followed by the release of its debut game, Lego Island, developed by Mindscape.
1998: Lego Bricks Inducted into National Toy Hall of Fame
Lego bricks were among the first toys inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame at The Strong museum in Rochester, New York, solidifying their status as an iconic and influential plaything.
1999: "The Ultimate Lego Book" Published
Dorling Kindersley (DK) published "The Ultimate Lego Book" in 1999, marking the start of their collaboration with Lego on illustrated books.
1999: Lego Mindstorms: A New Era of Programmable Toys
In 1999, Lego launched its 'Mindstorms' line, introducing robotics and programmability to its toys, opening up a world of creative possibilities for users.
2000: Lego Introduces "Lego Serious Play"
Around 2000, Lego expanded into the business world with "Lego Serious Play," a consultancy service using Lego bricks to facilitate creative thinking and problem-solving in a team-building environment.
2001: Lego Introduces Online Message Boards
To build a stronger online community, Lego introduced moderated message boards to its website in 2001, allowing fans to interact.
2002: Lego Takes Legal Action Against CoCo Toy Company
Lego filed a lawsuit against Beijing-based CoCo Toy Company in 2002 over copyright infringement claims related to CoCo's "Coko bricks," ultimately winning the case.
2002: Lego Makes Instruction Booklets Available Online
Expanding the functionality of their website, Lego started offering digital versions of their instruction booklets for all sets dating back to 2002.
2003: First Official Lego Film Released
Lego's first official foray into film came in 2003 with the direct-to-DVD release of "Bionicle: Mask of Light," produced by Creative Capers Entertainment and distributed by Miramax Home Entertainment.
2004: Lego's Legal Battle with Best-Lock Begins
Lego initiated legal proceedings against Best-Lock Construction Toys in German courts in 2004, marking the beginning of a legal dispute over the trademark of Lego's brick shape.
July 2005: Blackstone Group Acquires Majority Stake in Legoland Parks
In July 2005, Lego Group sold 70% of its stake in Legoland Parks to the Blackstone Group for $460 million, while retaining a 30% ownership.
2005: Lego's Legal Challenge Against Mega Bloks
In 2005, Lego filed a lawsuit against Canadian company Ritvik Holdings Inc., the maker of Mega Bloks, alleging trademark infringement. However, the Supreme Court of Canada ultimately ruled in favor of Ritvik Holdings Inc.
2006: Lego: The World's Number One Tyre Manufacturer?
A 2006 BusinessWeek article made the surprising claim that Lego could be considered the world's top tyre manufacturer, producing an estimated 306 million small rubber tyres annually.
2007: Lego Unveils Massive Millennium Falcon Set
Lego released a highly detailed, minifigure-scaled Millennium Falcon set in 2007, containing 5,195 pieces, making it one of the largest commercially available Lego sets at the time.
September 2008: Lego Employs Advanced Software for Design
Lego's commitment to precision and quality was evident in its adoption of the NX CAD/CAM/CAE PLM software suite in September 2008. This advanced software enabled engineers to optimize element design through mold flow and stress analysis.
September 2008: Lego Adopts 3D Modeling
Embracing technological advancements, Lego design teams began utilizing 3D modeling software in September 2008 to create CAD drawings from initial sketches, streamlining the design process.
2009: Bionicle Comic Series Ends
The Bionicle comic series, written by Greg Farshtey and published by Papercutz, concluded in 2009 after a nine-year run.
2009: Lego's Trademark Case Against Best-Lock Continues
The legal battle between Lego and Best-Lock Construction Toys continued in 2009, with the German Federal Patent Court ruling against Lego's claim for trademark protection on its brick shape.
2009: DK Publishes "The LEGO Book" and Other Titles
In 2009, DK released "The LEGO Book," packaged with "Standing Small: A celebration of 30 years of the LEGO minifigure." They also published books on Lego Star Wars and sticker books in the same year.
2009: Lego Launches Lego Games Series
In 2009, Lego ventured into the board game market with the introduction of Lego Games, a series designed by Cephas Howard and Reiner Knizia, integrating Lego's iconic building bricks into tabletop gaming experiences.
February 2010: Release of "Lego: The Adventures of Clutch Powers"
Lego released its computer-animated film "Lego: The Adventures of Clutch Powers" directly to DVD in February 2010, a production by Tinseltown Toons.
2010: European Court of Justice Rules on Lego Brick Design
The European Court of Justice ruled in 2010 that the eight-peg design of the original Lego brick serves a technical function and therefore cannot be registered as a trademark.
January 2011: "Lego Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu" Premieres
Expanding its presence in television, Lego launched the computer-generated animated series "Lego Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu" in January 2011, based on the popular Lego Ninjago toy line.
May 2011: Lego Bricks Journey to Space
In May 2011, Lego Bricks ventured into space on Space Shuttle Endeavour's STS-134 mission, where astronauts studied their behavior in microgravity as part of the Lego Bricks in Space program.
2011: "Lego Brickmaster" Magazine Discontinued
Lego discontinued its "Brickmaster" magazine in 2011.
December 2012: BBC's "More or Less" Investigates Lego Brick Strength
In December 2012, the BBC radio program "More or Less" collaborated with the Open University to determine the maximum height a Lego brick stack could reach before the bottom brick crumbles under the weight.
2012: Lego's Tyre Production Claim Resurfaces
The claim of Lego being the world's leading tyre manufacturer resurfaced in 2012, highlighting the massive scale of the company's production.
2012: Revised Edition of "The LEGO Book" Released
A revised edition of "The LEGO Book," previously published in 2009, was released in 2012 by Dorling Kindersley.
2012: Lego Celebrates London Olympics
Lego released a special Team GB Minifigures series in 2012 to commemorate the Summer Olympics held in London, offering fans a unique collectible.
2012: Lego Digital Designer Custom Model Service Ends
Lego discontinued its service that allowed customers to order physical models of their custom designs created using Lego Digital Designer software in 2012.
May 2013: Largest Lego Model Unveiled
May 2013 witnessed the unveiling of the largest Lego model ever assembled, a testament to the creative potential of Lego bricks. The model, displayed in New York City, was a one-to-one scale replica of a Star Wars X-wing fighter, constructed from over 5 million bricks.
June 2013: Warner Bros. Announces Development of Lego Ninjago Movie
In June 2013, Warner Bros. announced that they were developing a film adaptation of Lego Ninjago, with the Hageman brothers writing and Dan Lin, Roy Lee, Phil Lord, and Chris Miller producing.
2013: "Legends of Chima" Television Series Debuts
Lego premiered another television series, "Legends of Chima," in 2013, this one based on the Legends of Chima product line.
2013: New Legoland Discovery Centres Open
The year 2013 saw the opening of two new Legoland Discovery Centres, expanding the reach of this popular attraction. One centre opened in Yonkers, New York, and another in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada.
February 2014: "The Lego Movie" Released
Warner Bros. released "The Lego Movie" in February 2014, a feature film inspired by Lego toys, starring Chris Pratt and featuring a notable voice cast. The film's success led to supply shortages for Lego products, as reported by independent Canadian toy retailers.
2014: Lego Releases "The Lego Movie" Video Game
Capitalizing on the success of "The Lego Movie," Lego released a video game based on the film in 2014, further expanding its presence in the entertainment industry.
February 2015: Lego Crowned "World's Most Powerful Brand"
Lego achieved a remarkable feat in February 2015 when Brand Finance, a marketing consulting company, declared it the "world's most powerful brand," surpassing even Ferrari.
July 2015: 600 Billion Lego Parts Produced
By July 2015, a milestone was reached as the Lego Group had produced an astounding 600 billion parts, showcasing the immense popularity and scale of Lego production.
December 2015: Launch of "Nexo Knights" Television Series
December 2015 marked the debut of the "Nexo Knights" television series, based on the Lego Nexo Knights brand, further diversifying Lego's presence in children's entertainment.
2015: My Lego Network Closes Down
My Lego Network, a social networking site launched by Lego, shuts down in 2015. The platform allowed users to engage with various Lego-themed activities, including collecting items, building blueprints, and interacting with others.
2015: Lego Shifts Focus to Original Themes
In 2015, Lego signaled a move towards focusing on their own characters and classic themes, aiming to rely less on licensed franchises.
2016: Release of "Lego Bionicle: The Journey to One" and "Lego Friends: The Power of Friendship"
Lego continued its film releases in 2016 with "Lego Bionicle: The Journey to One," continuing the Bionicle franchise, and "Lego Friends: The Power of Friendship," based on the Lego Friends line.
2016: Lego Honors Rio Olympics and Paralympics
To mark the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Lego launched a special kit featuring the event mascots, Vinicius and Tom.
February 2017: "The Lego Batman Movie" Released
"The Lego Batman Movie," a spin-off of "The Lego Movie," directed by Chris McKay, premiered in the United States in February 2017. Although a sequel was planned, it was later cancelled.
September 2017: "The Lego Ninjago Movie" Released
The Lego Ninjago Movie, a film adaptation of the popular Lego theme, was released in September 2017.
2017: "Lego Life" Magazine Launched
In 2017, Lego launched "Lego Life" magazine, replacing the discontinued "Lego Club Magazine."
2017: Redesigned Millennium Falcon Takes Flight
In 2017, a redesigned Millennium Falcon set was released by Lego, reclaiming its spot as the largest set with a staggering 7,541 pieces, further cementing the iconic ship's popularity.
2017: "Lego Elves: Secrets of Elvendale" Released
Lego released "Lego Elves: Secrets of Elvendale" in 2017, a new addition to the Lego Elves brand's animated series lineup.
2018: Lego Sets 2030 Deadline for Sustainable Materials
In 2018, Lego announced its commitment to finding a more environmentally friendly alternative to the acrylonitrile butadine styrene (ABS) plastic used in its bricks, setting a deadline of 2030.
2018: Lego's Sustainability Efforts and Bio-Based Materials
Lego announced in 2018 the use of bio-derived polyethylene for its botanical elements. This marked a step towards their sustainability goals, aiming to reduce their environmental impact.
February 2019: "The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part" Released
February 2019 saw the release of "The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part," a sequel to the original Lego Movie, starring Chris Pratt.
June 2019: Premiere of "Lego City Adventures" Animated Series
June 2019 saw the release of "Lego City Adventures," an animated series created to support the Lego City brand, showcasing the popular Lego theme in a new format.
2019: FIRST LEGO League Thrives with Global Participation
During the 2019-2020 season, FIRST LEGO League saw impressive participation, with 38,609 teams in the Challenge category and 21,703 teams in the Explore category worldwide.
2020: Lego Targets Adult Builders
Recognizing the growing adult fan base, Lego introduced sets specifically designed for adults in 2020. These sets, often more intricate and based on real-world or fictional objects, catered to a mature audience.
2020: FIRST LEGO League Demonstrates Continued Growth
The 2019-2020 season for FIRST LEGO League concluded with high engagement, reflecting the program's growing popularity and impact on STEM education globally.
2020: Lego Issues Cease and Desist Letters
In 2020, Lego began targeting small toy retailers and YouTubers in Germany with cease and desist letters over alleged infringement of their intellectual property.
2020: Planned Opening of Legoland Park in Goshen, New York
Lego planned to open its ninth Legoland amusement park in Goshen, New York, in 2020.
2020: Lego Announces Collaborations with Adidas and Levi's
Lego broadened its fashion partnerships in 2020 by announcing collaborations with Adidas and Levi's.
2020: Lego Phases Out Single-Use Plastic Packaging
In 2020, Lego announced its shift from single-use plastic packaging to recyclable paper bags, furthering its commitment to sustainability.
May 2021: Lego Collaborates with Adidas on Vidiyo-Inspired Products
Lego partnered with Adidas in May 2021 to launch products inspired by the Lego Vidiyo theme.
2021: Legoland Discovery Centre Opens in New Jersey
A new Legoland Discovery Centre opened at the American Dream Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey, in 2021.
2021: "Lego Monkie Kid" Animated Series Released
Lego introduced the "Lego Monkie Kid" animated series in 2021, designed to support the launch and promote the Lego Monkie Kid product line.
2021: Lego Explores Recycled Materials for Bricks
Lego revealed its intention to use recycled polyethylene terephthalate bottles to produce its bricks in 2021, aiming to move away from crude oil as a material source.
2021: Lego Blocks Clone Imports, Sparks Donation Drive
Lego's actions against clone producers escalated in 2021 when a shipment from Qman was halted at German customs. This led to a toy retailer appealing for donations to import and donate clones to children's homes, raising over €350,000.
2022: Planned Opening of Legoland Park in Shanghai, China
Lego planned to expand its theme park presence in Asia with the opening of a tenth Legoland park in Shanghai, China, scheduled for 2022.
2022: Lego's Eiffel Tower: A Towering Achievement
Lego unveiled its Eiffel Tower set in 2022, reaching a height of 149 cm (60 in) with its 10,000 pieces, making it the tallest Lego set to date, but not the largest in terms of piece count.
2023: Lego Reevaluates Recycled Plastic Strategy
Lego reversed its decision to use recycled polyethylene terephthalate bottles for brick production in 2023 after discovering it wouldn't significantly reduce carbon emissions as initially hoped.
March 2024: Lego Operates Over 1000 Stores Globally
As of March 2024, Lego operates a vast network of 1,031 retail shops known as Lego Stores worldwide. These stores are known for their distinctive design and grand opening celebrations, which often feature large Lego model builds.
2024: Lego Sets for Adults Gain Traction
By 2024, nearly 15% of Lego sets released in the U.S. were targeted towards adult builders, reflecting the success of Lego's strategy to engage older audiences and the increasing popularity of Lego as a hobby for adults.
2030: Lego's Target for Sustainable Material Transition
Lego has set a target date of 2030 to transition to a more sustainable alternative to ABS plastic for its iconic bricks.