Lego timeline

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

Lego Group logo.

1890s
  • 1895:
    • The woodworking shop, "Billund Woodworking and Carpenter's Shop", which would eventually evolve into the Lego company, was founded in Billund.

1910s

1920s
  • 1920:
  • 1924:
    • Ole's shop burns down when a fire ignites some wood shavings. Ole then 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.
    • Wooden Lego yoyo's became an instant hit.
  • 1934:
    • The company name Lego is coined by Christiansen from the Danish phrase leg godt, meaning "play well".
  • 1935:
    • The Lego Duck (a wooden toy) is featured.
  • 1937:
  • 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.
  • 1945:
    • The LEGO wooden Peace Pistol with red wooden projectiles became a huge success.
  • 1947:
    • Ole 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 Hilary 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 Christian 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.
    • Godtfred Kirk Christiansen creates "system of play" that leads to the formation of Lego sets.[2]
  • 1954:
    • Godtfred Kirk Christiansen becomes junior managing director of Lego, and soon has the idea to turn Lego bricks into a building 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 building "system" of the Town Plan along with 27 other sets.[3]
    • 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.
  • 1956:
  • 1957:
  • 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 Workshop burnt down the third time.
    • 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 a 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 Hohenwestedt, 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 adds boat and ship sets, with hull pieces that float.
    • Lego Samsonite license agreement ends
    • Lego USA established in Brookfield, Connecticut.
  • 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.
    • The first known stop motion brickfilm is made.
  • 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 the minifigure 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 youngsters under the age of 14 years own Lego bricks.
    • Lego train tracks are introduced.
    • Lego Education was introduced.
  • 1981:
    • The second generation of Lego trains is produced, including a wider variety of accessories.
  • 1982:
    • Expert Builder series matures and becomes Technic.
    • The Lego Group celebrates its 50th anniversary on August 13.
    • 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.
    • Lego signs a deal with McDonald's to deliver 25 million transparent bags of bricks for the Happy Meal.
  • 1984:
    • Lego Castle series is launched.
    • Lego pneumatics are added to the Technic series.
    • Lego Brazil is established.
    • Lego Korea is established.
  • 1985:
    • Lego company grows to 5,000 employees worldwide; 3,000 of them being in Billund.
    • The gearstick is introduced.
    • Danish Foreign Minister, Uffe Ellemann-Jensen, opens the LEGO Centre at Birkenhead Point in Sydney Australia, the first permanent LEGO shop outside Billund[4]
  • 1986:
    • Lego Technic robots controlled by computers are placed in schools.
    • Light and Sound sets are launched of Lego Town and Space themes; these were the first products of the new-generation 9V "Electric System".
    • 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.
    • Poul Plougmann is appointed CFO and incorporates the “Fitness” business plan resulting in 10% reduction in LEGO workforce.

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.
    • The 9V "Electric System" is now extended to the Technic range with new motors, replacing the old 4.5V/12V motors.
  • 1991
    • 9V Trains motors are made 9V to bring the system into line with the rest of the Lego range.
    • 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.
    • Lego Castle and Lego Tower are released
    • 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 (owned by Triple Five Group) in Bloomington, Minnesota, 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.
    • 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.
    • 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 introduced.
    • Lego.com is launched.
    • Dark Forest, a sub-line of Lego Castle is introduced.
    • Time Cruisers is introduced.
    • Spyrius theme is discontinued.
    • Exploriens, a sub-line of Lego Space is introduced.
    • Imperial Armada, a sub-line of Lego Pirates is introduced.
    • 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.
    • Time Twisters, a sub-line of Time Cruisers is introduced.
    • Roboforce, a sub-line of Lego Space is 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

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".
    • Lego Bionicle is launched in Europe and Australasia.
  • 2001
    • Lego Bionicle is launched in the United States and worldwide.
    • 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.
    • Lego Jack Stone is introduced.
    • Jorgen Vig Knudstorp joined The LEGO Group
  • 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.
    • Legoland Germany opened May 17, 2002 in Günzburg.
    • Lego Galidor is introduced.[5]
  • 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 4+ known as Lego 4 Juniors is introduced.
    • Lego Island Xtreme Stunts is discontinued.
    • Lego Inventor is introduced, then discontinued.
    • Lego World City is introduced.
    • Lego minifigure celebrates its 25th birthday.
    • The first full-length CGI LEGO movie, Bionicle: Mask of Light is released.
  • 2004
    • Lego celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of the Lego System.
    • Lego Quatro brick is introduced for children ages 1–3.
    • Lego Knights' Kingdom II is introduced.
    • Orient Expedition, a sub-line of Lego Adventurers is discontinued.
    • Lego Spider-Man, Lego World City, and Lego Gravity Games are discontinued.
    • Lego Group reports record loss for 2003 fiscal year.
    • The colors Dark Stone Grey (199), Medium Stone Grey (194) and Bright Purple (221) replaces Dark Grey, Grey and Medium Reddish Violet, respectively.
    • The color Medium Lilac (268) is introduced.
    • Jorgen Vig Knudstorp is appointed CEO of The LEGO Group (The first non-family CEO in Lego history).
    • The second full-length CGI LEGO movie, Bionicle 2: Legends of Metru Nui is released.
  • 2005
    • Lego System celebrates its 50th anniversary.
    • Lego Group sells Legoland parks to Merlin Entertainments Group.
    • Lego Alpha Team is discontinued.
    • Lego City is introduced.
    • Lego Dino Attack/Dino 2010 is introduced.
    • Lego Vikings is introduced.
    • The third full-length CGI LEGO movie, Bionicle 3: Web of Shadows is released.
    • The first TT (Traveller's Tales) Games, LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game is launched.
  • 2006
  • 2007
  • 2008
  • 2009

2010s

2020s

References
  1. "Technica - 1949". Isodomos.com. Archived from the original on 2012-02-10. Retrieved 2013-08-20.
  2. Hirschmann, Kris. LEGO Toys. Chicago: Norwood House, 2011. Print
  3. Hirschmann, Kris. LEGO Toys. Chicago: Norwood House, 2011. Print.
  4. "Lego Centre Commercial (1987)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-13. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  5. "LEGO Galidor 20th Anniversary Theme Announced". thebrickfan.com. 1 April 2022.
  6. "Muji LEGO sets to be available outside of Japan soon!". Brickset. 6 January 2011.
  7. Sanker, Dan (2012-02-28). Collaborate: The Art of We. John Wiley & Sons Inc. p. 3. ISBN 978-1-118-11472-8.
  8. "Lego And Muji Join Forces". DesignFetish. 22 November 2009.
  9. Kuang, Cliff (2009-11-20). "Design Nirvana: Lego Teams Up With Muji". Fast Company. Retrieved 2021-06-18.
  10. "Here's how the LEGO Group is celebrating NINJAGO's 10th anniversary". 14 January 2021. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  11. Lego Group (January 1, 2022). "LEGO® Friends celebrates its 10-years of building friendships and future creators". Lego.com. Lego. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  12. "LEGO Avatar Theme Confirmed to be Coming". thebrickfan.com. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  13. Lego Group (20 July 2022). "THE LEGO GROUP UNVEILS FOUR NEW SETS INSPIRED BY AVATAR AT SAN DIEGO COMIC CON 2022". Lego. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  • 50 Years of Play - Internal Lego publication from 1982
  • The World of LEGO Toys, Henry Wiencek, 1987
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