The history of Lego: How it all began and where it's headed

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Lego is a household name and one of the most popular toy brands in the world. Its colorful building blocks and minifigures have captured the hearts of children and adults alike for over 80 years. But where did it all begin? In this article, we'll take a trip down memory lane and explore the fascinating history of Lego, from its humble beginnings to its current status as a global phenomenon.

The origins of Lego

The Lego Group was founded in 1932 by Ole Kirk Christiansen, a Danish carpenter who started making wooden toys in his workshop in Billund, Denmark. The name "Lego" comes from the Danish words "leg godt," which means "play well." The company's first product was a wooden duck on wheels, which was a hit with local children. Christiansen continued to produce wooden toys, including cars, trucks, and animals, until World War II broke out in 1939 and wood became scarce.

During the war, Christiansen turned to making plastic toys, which were cheaper and easier to produce. In 1949, the company began producing plastic building blocks, which they called "Automatic Binding Bricks." These early blocks were not compatible with the Lego bricks we know today, but they laid the foundation for what would become a global phenomenon.

The birth of the Lego brick

In 1958, the modern Lego brick was born. Godtfred Kirk Christiansen, Ole Kirk's son, had taken over the company and was determined to create a building system that was both simple and versatile. The new bricks were made from a high-quality plastic called acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and featured a unique interlocking system that allowed them to be stacked and connected in countless ways.

The new Lego bricks were an instant hit, and the company began to expand rapidly. In the 1960s, Lego began producing themed sets, such as the popular Lego trains and Lego town sets. The company also introduced minifigures, which were small plastic figures that could be customized with different clothes and accessories.

Godtfred Kirk Christiansen

The rise of Lego

By the 1970s, Lego had become a global phenomenon. The company had expanded its product line to include space sets, castle sets, and pirate sets, among others. Lego also began to produce larger sets that could be used to create elaborate scenes, such as the famous Lego Technic sets.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Lego continued to innovate and expand its product line. The company introduced new themes, such as Lego City and Lego Friends, and began to produce licensed sets based on popular movies and TV shows, such as Star Wars and Harry Potter. Lego also introduced a new line of educational sets called Mindstorms, which allowed children to build and program robots.

Lego in the 21st century

In the 21st century, Lego has continued to thrive. The company has expanded its product line to include video games, movies, and amusement parks. In 2014, the company released The Lego Movie, which was a huge success and spawned a franchise of sequels and spin-offs. Lego also opened its first Lego-themed amusement park, Legoland, in 1968, and has since opened multiple parks around the world.

In recent years, Lego has focused on sustainability and social responsibility. The company has pledged to use sustainable materials in its products and packaging and has invested in renewable energy sources. Lego has also launched several initiatives to promote education and creativity, such as the Lego Foundation and the Lego Ideas platform.

Where Lego is headed

So, what's next for Lego? The company shows no signs of slowing down and has ambitious plans for the future. 

In 2021, Lego announced that it would invest $400 million over the next three years to accelerate its sustainability efforts. The company aims to use sustainable materials in all of its products and packaging by 2030, and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2022. Lego is also working to reduce waste and increase recycling, and has launched a new program called "Reuse, Remake, Recycle" to encourage customers to donate or recycle their used Lego bricks.

The molding machines at Lego’s factory turn out about 100 million “elements” — bricks, trees, doll parts - each day

In terms of product development, Lego has continued to innovate and expand its offerings. In 2020, the company launched a new line of sets called Lego Art, which allows customers to create mosaics of famous artworks using Lego bricks. Lego has also released sets based on popular franchises such as Marvel, DC, and Minecraft, as well as original themes like Hidden Side and Ninjago.

Lego has also embraced technology in recent years. The company has partnered with companies like Apple and Google to create augmented reality experiences, and has released several video games and mobile apps. In 2020, Lego released a new line of sets called Lego Super Mario, which features interactive Mario figures that can collect virtual coins and interact with Lego sets using Bluetooth technology.

Lego launched its first ever LGBTQ themed set ahead of Pride Month

Image Source: usatoday.com

Conclusion

The history of Lego is a fascinating story of innovation, creativity, and perseverance. From its humble beginnings as a wooden toy manufacturer to its current status as a global toy giant, Lego has continued to evolve and adapt to changing times. With its commitment to sustainability, social responsibility, and innovation, Lego is poised to continue to captivate and inspire generations to come. Whether you're a lifelong Lego fan or a newcomer to the world of building blocks, there's no denying the magic and joy that Lego can bring. So go ahead, build something amazing!