A History of Legos

Ole Christiansen founds his toy factory

Jan 1, 1932

Ole Kirk Christiansen was a Danish carpenter and furniture maker. He realized that during the world war, people would not spend money on furniture but would always buy toys for their children, so he began making wooden toys. parents.lego.com

Company is named "Lego"

Jan 2, 1932

Lego is a conjunction of two Danish words, "leg" meaning "play" and "god" meaning "well" parents.lego.com

Fire burns the LEGO factory to the ground

Jan 1, 1942

Ole Christiansen had to rebuild his factory. http://www.lugnet.com/pause/chronology.html

First injection moulding machine was used to create "LEGO Blocks"

Jan 1, 1949

This was the first injection moulding machine in Denmark. parents.lego.com

The concept of "Automatic Binding Bricks" is created

Jan 1, 1953

Automatic Binding Bricks were the base concept of LEGO bricks as we now know them. http://aboutus.lego.com/en-us/lego-group/the_lego_history/

first Lego Block was created

Jan 1, 1958

The first lego brick as we know it was created in 1958, with tubes allowing the bricks to interlock. http://aboutus.lego.com/en-us/lego-group/the_lego_history/

Wooden toy warehouse destroyed by fire

Jan 1, 1960

After the toy warehouse burned down for a second time, the company decided to stop production of wooden toys and focus on the LEGO brick. http://aboutus.lego.com/en/lego-group/the_lego_history/1960/

Began using Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)

Jan 1, 1963

This plastic is:
-extremely hard
-scratch, bite, and saliva-resistant surface
-ideal for keeping the bricks connected http://aboutus.lego.com/en-us/lego-group/the_lego_history/1990/
parents.lego.com

The battery-driven LEGO Train

Jan 1, 1966

The first battery- operated LEGO train is introduced. http://aboutus.lego.com/en-us/lego-group/the_lego_history/

Light Brick

Jan 1, 1966

The first brick that can light up is created. http://aboutus.lego.com/en-us/lego-group/the_lego_history/1990/

First LEGOLAND opens in Billund

Jun 7, 1968

This amusement park is built around legos, with rides and impressive lego displays. On opening day it attracted 3000 visitors, and 625,000 in its first season.

LEGO Technic sets are introduced

Jan 1, 1977

The LEGO Technic sets are the predecessor to MINDSTORMS. They aren't yet programmable, but can move. Pieces in these sets are harder to assemble/disassmble becasue they're more rigid when put together, but they have more moving functions, such as axles for wheels. http://www.animationandrobotics.com/?p=324

First LEGO World Cup held in Billund

Aug 1, 1988

This shows that LEGO has become a teambuilding and competitive exercise. http://aboutus.lego.com/en/lego-group/the_lego_history/1980/

LEGO Mindstorms is created

Jan 1, 1998

LEGO Mindstorm kits contain materials to make small, programmable robots with sensors. http://aboutus.lego.com/en-us/lego-group/the_lego_history/1990/

Harry Potter themed LEGO sets

Jan 1, 2000

The LEGO Group signs a partnership deal with Warner Bros. allowing them to launch a series of LEGO Products based on JK Rowling's universe of Harry Potter. http://aboutus.lego.com/en-us/lego-group/the_lego_history/2000/

LEGO Ferrari car is introduced

Jan 1, 2004

The LEGO Ferrari joined the LEGO Racers set as the first car to be based on a real model. http://aboutus.lego.com/en/lego-group/the_lego_history/2000/

LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT is launched

Jan 1, 2006

LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT is a more advanced version of MINDSTORMS.