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Timeline of Lego

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Lego Group logo.

This article lists notable events and releases in the timeline of the Lego Group and Lego products.

19th century

1890s

20th century

1910s

1920s

  • July 6, 1920: Godtfred Kirk Christiansen was born.
  • 1924: Ole Kirk's shop burns down when a fire ignites some wood shavings. Ole Kirk builds a larger workshop, renting out most of the space, and using the rest for his own shop.

1930s

  • 1932: Ole Kirk Christiansen's shop nearly goes bankrupt in the depression. With a lack of normal carpentry jobs, Ole Kirk starts producing toys, many of which were wooden pull toys.
  • 1934: The company name Lego is coined by Christiansen from the Danish phrase leg godt, meaning "play well". Coincidentally, "Lego" also means "I assemble" in Latin.
  • 1935: The Lego Duck is featured.
  • 1937: Godtfred Kirk Christiansen starts creating models.
  • 1939: The company grows to 10 employees.

1940s

  • 1942: A fire breaks out in the factory, forcing the company to rebuild.
  • 1943: The company grows to 40 employees.
  • 1947: Ole Kirk purchases the first plastic moulding machine in Denmark, and the company begins manufacturing plastic toys. The Christiansens are inspired by samples of the "Kiddicraft Self-Locking Building Brick", a design patented by the Briton Mr. Harry Fisher Page.[1] December 27 - Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen is born.
  • 1948: The company grows to 50 employees.
  • 1949: Lego begins producing similar plastic bricks, calling them "Automatic Binding Bricks."

1950s

  • 1951: The first ever film about Lego is shot. The photographer is Chistian Lund, and the film is black and white with no sound.
  • 1953:
  • Automatic Binding Bricks are renamed Lego Mursten, or "Lego Bricks."
  • First baseplates are created.
  • 1954:
  • Godtfred Kirk Christiansen becomes junior managing director of Lego, and soon has the idea to turn Lego bricks into a toy system.
  • Lego windows and doors are introduced.
  • The word Lego is officially registered in Denmark.
  • First beam bricks are released.
  • 1955:
  • Lego releases its first toy "system" of the Town Plan.
  • Lego bricks begin selling better, but are not yet the core Lego product.
  • Lego first exports toys to Sweden.
  • Godtfred Kirk Christiansen demonstrates the Lego bricks at a toy fair in Nuremberg, Germany.
  • First Lego trees are released.
  • 1958:
  • The Lego brick design is improved to allow better versatility and "locking" ability.
  • Ole Kirk Christiansen dies; Godtfred inherits leadership of the Lego Company.
  • The Lego company patents the stud-and-tube coupling system. This new system makes models much more stable. Sloping roof tile bricks are featured.
  • The company in Billund grows to 140 employees.
  • 1959:
  • A small staff at Lego, the "Futura" division, is established to develop ideas for new sets.
  • Lego begins selling its products in other countries such as Norway, Germany, Switzerland, and the UK.
  • Lego France, British Lego Ltd., Lego Belgium and Lego Sweden are established.

1960s

  • 1960:
  • February: Another warehouse fire consumes most of Lego inventory of wooden toys.
  • Production of wooden toys is discontinued; the company changes its focus to the plastic building bricks.
  • Lego Finland and Lego Netherlands are established.
  • By the end of the year, the company grows to 450 employees.
  • 1961:
  • The Lego wheel is introduced.
  • Sales start in the United States and Canada through a license agreement with Samsonite Corp.
  • Lego Italy established
  • 1961–1962: Lego makes an arrangement allowing Samsonite to begin producing and selling Lego products in Canada, an arrangement that would continue until 1988.
  • 1962:
  • 1963:
  • Cellulose acetate is abandoned in favor of the more stable ABS plastic in making Lego bricks.
  • Samsonite begins producing Lego bricks under license in North America.
  • Lego Austria is established.
  • The Lego Group starts Modulex.
  • 1964:
  • The first Lego sets containing instruction manuals are introduced.
  • Lego sells toys in Lebanon.
  • A production plant, Lego Werkzeugbau GmbH, is opened in Hohenwehenstedt, Germany.
  • 1965:
  • The company in Billund grows to more than 600 employees.
  • 1966:
  • One of Lego most successful series, the Lego train system is released. Initial train sets include a 4.5-volt motor and rails.
  • Lego is now sold in 42 countries.
  • 1967: First Lego hinges.
  • 1968:
  • Train sets with a 12-volt motor are introduced.
  • On June 7, the Legoland Park in Billund is opened, at which 3,000 people visit on the opening day.
  • Lego bricks with magnets are introduced.
  • 1969:
  • The Duplo system, using larger bricks and targeting younger children but also compatible with existing Lego bricks, is released.
  • The company in Billund grows to 843 employees.

1970s

  • 1970: The company grows to 1,000 employees.
  • 1971: Lego introduces furniture pieces and dollhouses for girls.
  • 1972: Lego added boat and ship sets, with hull pieces that actually floated.
  • 1973:
  • Lego USA moves to its present-day location in Enfield, Connecticut.
  • All Lego products are placed under one logo, a red square with the word, Lego, in white bordered by black and yellow.
  • Lego first sells toys to Hungary.
  • Lego Portugal is established.
  • 1974:
  • Lego figures are launched, starting with the Lego family.
  • Bricks and Pieces, the first official Lego newsletter, is introduced in the United Kingdom.
  • Lego Spain is established.
  • 1975:
  • The company grows to 2,500 employees.
  • The Expert Series sets are introduced.
  • 1977:
  • 1978:
  • Lego introduces mini-figures with movable limbs and hands that can grasp utensils. This was the company's second most important design, after the brick itself.
  • Lego Castle is introduced.
  • Lego Space is introduced.
  • 1979:

1980s

  • 1980:
  • Lego establishes the Educational Products Department.
  • New factories are opened in Switzerland and Jutland, Denmark.
  • It is revealed in a survey that seventy percent of all Western European families with kids under fourteen own Lego bricks.
  • Lego train tracks are introduced.
  • 1981: The second generation of Lego trains is produced, including a wider variety of accessories.
  • 1982:
  • Expert Builder series matured and became Technic.
  • The Lego Group celebrates its 50th anniversary on August 13th.
  • The book, 50 years of play is published.
  • Lego South Africa is established.
  • First Lego wind-up engine.
  • 1983:
  • Lego launches the Duplo Baby series.
  • The company grows to 3,700 employees worldwide.
  • 1984:
  • Lego Castle series is launched.
  • Lego pneumatics are added to the Technic series.
  • Lego Brazil is established.
  • Lego Korea is established.
  • 1985:
  • Light & Sound sets are introduced.
  • Lego company grows to 5,000 employees worldwide; 3,000 of them being in Billund.
  • The gearstick is introduced.
  • 1986:
  • Lego Technic robots controlled by computers are placed in schools.
  • Light and Sound sets are launched of Lego Town and Space themes.
  • Another factory in Manaus, Brazil is opened.
  • Godtfred Kirk Christiansen resigns as chairman of the board of Lego System A/S and Lego Overseas.
  • Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen takes over for Godtfred Kirk Christiansen.
  • 1987:
  • Forestman, Crusaders, and Black Knights, sub-lines of Lego Castle, are introduced.
  • Blacktron I and Futuron, sub-lines of Lego Space, are introduced.
  • Lego reaches almost 6,000 employees.
  • Lego South Africa is closed.
  • Lego Club is established.
  • 1988:
  • The first Lego World Cup building contest is held in Billund.
  • Lego Canada is established.
  • The "Brick Separator" is introduced.
  • 1989:
  • Lego Pirates theme is launched.
  • Lego Educational Products Department is renamed Lego Dacta.
  • Brick Kicks, the first official Lego Club magazine, is introduced.
  • Space Police I, a sub-line of Lego Space is introduced.

1990s

  • 1990
  • Lego Model Team sets are released.
  • Lego is one of the top 10 toy companies of 1990.
  • Forestman is discontinued.
  • The Blacktron I and Futuron themes are discontinued.
  • Space Police I is discontinued.
  • M:Tron, a sub-line of Lego Space is introduced.
  • Lego Malaysia is established.
  • The Duplo Zoo is launched.
  • 9V Technic motors are first introduced in Europe, starting phase-out of 4.5V system.
  • 1991
  • 9V Technic motors are introduced in other markets including North America.
  • 9V Trains motors are made 9V to bring the system into line with the rest of the Lego range. From this point on, all Lego electric parts are solely 9V.
  • Lego Paradisa is launched.
  • Blacktron II, a sub-line of Lego Space is introduced.
  • Imperial Guards, a sub-line of Lego Pirates is introduced.
  • The company grows to 7,550 employees.
  • 1992
  • Lego sets two Guinness World Records.
  • Paradisa and Duplo Toolo sets are introduced.
  • On Swedish television, the world's largest Lego Castle is built.
  • The Crusaders theme is discontinued.
  • Wolfpack, a sub-line of Lego Castle is introduced.
  • Space Police II, a sub-line of Lego Space is introduced.
  • Lego Japan is established.
  • Lego Hungary is established.
  • The first Lego Imagination Center is opened in Mall of America in Bloomington, Minneapolis, United States.
  • 1993
  • Duplo introduces a train and a parrot-shaped "brickvac" that could scoop Lego pieces up off the floor.
  • Space Police I is re-released.
  • Wolfpack, a sub-line of Lego Castle is discontinued.
  • Dragon Masters is introduced.
  • M:Tron, a sub-line of Lego Space is discontinued.
  • Blacktron II, a sub-line of Lego Space is discontinued.
  • Space Police II, a sub-line of Lego Space is discontinued.
  • Ice Planet 2002, a sub-line of Lego Space is introduced.
  • Lego South Africa re-established.
  • The orange transparent brick is introduced.

1994

  • The Black Knights theme is discontinued.
  • Ice Planet 2002, a sub-line of Lego Space is discontinued.
  • Unitron, a sub-line of Lego Space is introduced.
  • Spyrius, a sub-line of Lego Space is introduced.
  • Islanders, a sub-line of Lego Pirates is introduced, then discontinued.
  • Lego Mexico is established.
  • The company grows to 8,880 employees worldwide.
  • First pink Lego bricks.
  • Brick Kicks, the official Lego Club Magazine, is renamed Lego Mania Magazine.

1995

  • Lego Primo series is introduced.
  • Lego Aquazone is introduced.
  • Royal Knights, a sub-line of Lego Castle is introduced.
  • Unitron is discontinued.
  • Imperial Guards, a sub-line of Lego Pirates is discontinued.
  • Aquanauts, a sub-line of Lego Aquazone is introduced.
  • Aquasharks, a sub-line of Lego Aquazone is introduced.
  • Lego TechBuild, a sub-line of Lego Technic is introduced.
  • Lego TechPlay, another sub-line of Lego Technic is introduced.
  • Godtfred Kirk Christiansen, son of the company's founder, dies.
  • Lego Belgium and Lego Netherlands become Lego Benelux.
  • Lego dolphin element is introduced.

1996

  • LegoLAND Windsor is opened in the United Kingdom.
  • The Lego Watch System is launched.
  • Lego Wild West is launched.
  • Lego.com is launched.
  • Dark Forest, a sub-line of Lego Castle is introduced.
  • Spyrius theme is discontinued.
  • Exploriens, a sub-line of Lego Space are introduced.
  • Imperial Armada, a sub-line of Lego Pirates is introduced.
  • Aquanauts, a sub-line of Lego Aquazone is discontinued.
  • LegoLAND Billund reaches 25 million visitors since its opening in 1968.
  • It is estimated that 180 billion Lego elements have been made and over 300 million people worldwide play with them.

1997

  • Lego launches its first computer game, Lego Island.
  • Lego introduces fiber-optic elements.
  • Lego Paradisa is discontinued.
  • Lego Divers is introduced.
  • Fright Knights, a sub-line of Lego Castle is introduced.
  • Roboforce, a sub-line of Lego Space are introduced.
  • UFO, a sub-line of Lego Space is introduced.
  • Aquaraiders, a sub-line of Lego Aquazone is introduced.

1998

  • Lego launches the Lego Creator, Loco, and Chess computer games.
  • Lego introduces beige bricks.
  • Lego Adventurers and Insectoids series are introduced.
  • Lego releases Mindstorms, a programmable computerized brick with Lego-compatible sensors and motors.
  • The red Lego logo introduced in 1973 is updated. It is a graphically tightened version of the logo used for the past 25 years.
  • Lego rereleases the Crusaders, Black Knights, and Dragon Masters themes.
  • Insectoids, a sub-line of Lego Space is introduced.
  • Lego Cyberslam, is introduced.

1999

  • Legoland California opens in Carlsbad, California.
  • Lego Rock Raiders series is introduced.
  • Lego produces a Star Wars theme with Lucasfilm, beginning a trend of licensed Lego products.
  • UFO and Insectoids themes are discontinued.
  • Jungle a sub-line of Lego Adventurers is introduced.
  • Lego Underground is introduced.
  • Lego Slizers (Throwbots) is introduced.
  • Lego Cyberslam is discontinued.
  • Lego TechPlay is discontinued.

21st century

2000s

2000

  • Knights' Kingdom, Life on Mars, and Soccer/Football are introduced.
  • Dino Island, a sub-line of Lego Adventurers is introduced, then discontinued. RoboRiders are also introduced, then discontinued.
  • Lego Underground (Rock Raiders) and Lego Throwbots are discontinued.
  • Lego Studios is introduced.
  • The British Association of Toy Retailers names the Lego brick "Toy of the Century".

2001

  • Lego Bionicle is launched in Europe
  • Lego Bionicle is launched in the United States
  • Lego Brand Retail stores are opened in England, Germany, and Russia.
  • Lego Life on Mars is introduced, then discontinued.
  • Lego Alpha Team and Lego Harry Potter are introduced.
  • Lego Serious Play is unveiled.

2002

  • Company slogan changes from "Just Imagine..." to "Play On"
  • Lego Wild West is discontinued.
  • Lego Island Xtreme Stunts, Spider-Man, and Lego Racers are introduced.
  • Lego Mania Magazine issues are changed to Lego Magazine.

2003

  • Lego introduces new skin tones for mini-figures based on actual people.
  • Clikits, Lego Designer, Lego Hockey, Lego Basketball, and Lego Gravity Games are introduced.
  • Orient Expedition, a sub-line of Adventurers is introduced.
  • Lego Island Xtreme Stunts is discontinued.
  • Lego Inventor is introduced, then discontinued.
  • Lego World City is introduced.
  • Bionicle: Mask of Light movie is released.
  • Lego mini figure celebrates its 25th birthday.

2004

2005

  • Lego System celebrates its 50th anniversary.
  • Lego Group sells Legoland parks to Merlin Entertainments Group
  • Lego Alpha Team is discontinued.
  • January: Lego City is introduced.
  • Lego Dino Attack/Dino 2010 is introduced.
  • Lego Vikings is introduced.
  • Bionicle 3: Web of Shadows movie is released.

2006

2007

  • Lego Aqua Raiders is introduced.
  • Lego Mars Mission is introduced.
  • Lego 9V trains are officially discontinued.
  • MLN,A Online Network Where You Can Make Friends Replaces Club Pages.

2008

2010s

2011

References

  • 50 Years of Play - internal Lego publication from 1982
  • The World of Lego® Toys, Henry Wiencek, 1987
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