Beginnings
The toy company LEGO was founded in 1934 by Danish furniture maker Ole Kirk Christiansen. The name comes from the Danish words “leg godt,” which mean “play well.”
The carpenter began making small versions of his products during the Great Depression. This inspired him to create toys. The original blocks were made from beechwood.
This process took a long time. In 1947, they switched to plastic. This change led to the blocks we know and love today.
Developments
In 1968, the first LEGOLAND opened in Denmark because of the toy’s growing popularity. In the next year, LEGO began to reach more people.
They introduced new products, including DUPLO blocks. These blocks are bricks made for younger kids to play with. The company then went on to introduce human minifigures in 1977, furthering the brand’s notoriety.
Legacy
The bricks have stayed close to their original design. This is because of its ongoing success around the world. In 2000, it was named “Toy of the Century” by the British Association of Toy Retailers.
LEGO has worked with many movie franchises over the years. Some well-known examples are Star Wars, Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, and Lord of the Rings. In 1999 the first LEGO Star Wars set was introduced as well as a long-term partnership between Lucasfilm.
Character sets have become a big part of not only the company's success, but the childhoods of countless individuals. Along with film franchise partnerships, LEGO has also created many of its own films and TV shows. Some of these films include the LEGO Ninjago franchise, The LEGO Movie, and LEGO Batman. In 2022, LEGO celebrated its 90th anniversary, with its legacy only continuing to grow.
- Nyanna Raj
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