Lego timeline

Lego Group logo.

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

1890s

• 1891: April 7 - Ole Kirk Christiansen, founder of the Lego Group, is born.
• 1895: The woodworking shop, "Billund Woodworking and Carpenter's Shop", which would eventually evolve into the Lego company which is founded in Billund, Denmark.

1910s

• 1916: Ole Kirk Christiansen purchases the small woodworking shop in Billund.

1920s

• July 8, 1919: Godtfred Kirk Christiansen is 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 (a wooden toy) 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 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 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 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:
  • A sales company for Lego is built in Hohenwestedt, Germany.
• 1957:
  • Godtfred Kirk Christiansen is appointed Managing Director.
  • First Lego flags, lights, and windows.
• 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:
  • Lego sells toys in Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Morocco, and Japan.
  • Lego 1/3 elements are introduced.
• 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 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 actually 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.
• 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:
  • The Lego Technic (known as the Expert Builder) series is launched.
  • Lego Town is launched.
  • Lego Boats is launched.
  • Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen joins the Lego Group management.
  • Duplo people are introduced.
• 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:
  • Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen becomes president of Lego.
  • Lego introduces the Fabuland and Scala themes.
  • Lego Singapore is established.

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

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 both in Europe and 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.
  • Lego Jack Stone.
• 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.
• 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.
  • Lego minifigure celebrates its 25th birthday.
  • The first full-length CGI LEGO movie, Bionicle: Mask of Light is released.
• 2004
  • 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.
• 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.
• 2006
  • Lego Exo-Force is introduced.
  • Lego Batman is introduced.
  • Avatar: The Last Airbender is introduced then discontinued.
  • SpongeBob SquarePants is introduced.
  • Lego Sports is reintroduced.
  • Remote control (RC) trains are introduced.
  • Lego Mindstorms NXT 1.0 is released.
  • Lego Quatro is discontinued.
  • The color Medium Azure is introduced.
• 2007
  • Lego Aqua Raiders, and Mars Mission are introduced.
  • Lego Castle is reintroduced.
  • Lego 9V trains discontinued.
  • Lego Aqua Raiders is discontinued.
• 2008
  • On January 28, 2008, Lego celebrated the 50th anniversary of the patent on its interlocking blocks.
  • Lego Mindstorms celebrates its 10th anniversary.
  • Lego minifigure celebrates its 30th birthday.
  • Lego Architecture is introduced
  • Lego Indiana Jones, Speed Racer, and Agents are introduced.
  • Lego Exo-Force is discontinued.
  • Mars Mission is discontinued.
  • Speed racer is discontinued
• 2009
  • Lego Mindstorms NXT 2.0 is released.
  • Agents 2.0 is released.
  • Lego Star Wars' 10th anniversary.
  • Legoland California 10th anniversary.
  • Lego Power Miners is introduced.
  • Lego Pirates is reintroduced.
  • Lego Batman is discontinued.
  • Lego Games are introduced.
  • Lego Space Police III is introduced.

2010s

• 2010
  • Lego Ben 10.
  • Lego Atlantis is introduced.
  • Lego Toy Story.
  • Duplo Cars is introduced.
  • Lego Harry Potter is reintroduced.
  • Lego Prince of Persia.
  • Lego Hero Factory is introduced.
  • Lego Space Police III is discontinued.
  • Lego World Racers is introduced.
  • Lego Kingdoms is introduced.
  • Bionicle is discontinued.
  • Lego Universe is launched.
  • Lego Minifigures Series 1 and 2.
• 2011
  • Lego Minifigures Series 3, 4 and 5.
  • Lego Ninjago is introduced.
  • Lego Cars is introduced.
  • Lego Pirates of the Caribbean.
  • Lego Alien Conquest is introduced.
  • Lego Power Miners is discontinued.
  • SpongeBob SquarePants is reintroduced.
  • Duplo Winnie The Pooh is introduced.
  • Lego Life of George.
  • Lego City Space theme is reintroduced.
  • Lego Master Builders Academy (MBA) is introduced.
  • Legoland Florida opens.
  • Lego Pharaoh's Quest is discontinued.
  • Lego Harry Potter is discontinued.
  • The color Olive Green (330) is introduced as part of Lego Cars.
• 2012
  • Lego Universe is discontinued.
  • Lego Dino.
  • Lego Minifigures Series 6, 7 and 8.
  • Legoland Malaysia opens.
  • Lego Super Heroes theme is introduced.
  • Lego Friends theme is introduced.
  • Lego Monster Fighters.
  • Lego Disney Princess is introduced.
  • Lego Alien Conquest is discontinued.
  • Lego Build and Rebuild is introduced.
  • Lego Lord of the Rings is introduced.
  • Lego The Hobbit is introduced.
  • The colors Dark Azure (321), Medium Azure (322), Aqua (323), Medium Lavender (324), Lavender (325), are introduced as part of the Friends theme.
  • The color Spring Yellowish Green (326) is introduced as part of Disney Princess.
• 2013
  • Lego Minifigures Series 9, 10 and 11.
  • Lego Galaxy Squad is introduced.
  • Lego Ninjago is discontinued
  • Lego Legends of Chima is introduced.
  • Lego Mindstorms EV3 is introduced.
  • Duplo Mickey Mouse & Friends is introduced.
  • Lego Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is introduced.
  • Lego Lone Ranger.
• 2014
  • Lego Mixels.
  • Lego Minifigures Series 12.
  • Lego Ninjago is re-introduced
  • The Lego Movie, released theatrically in movie cinemas on February 7, 2014.
  • Lego 30th anniversary of Ghostbusters is introduced. Ecto-1.
  • The LEGO Movie (Theme).
  • Lego The Simpsons.
  • Lego Ultra Agents is introduced.
  • Lego Hobbit is discontinued.
• 2015
  • Lego Minifigures Series 13 and 14.
  • Bionicle is re-released.
  • Lego Scooby Doo is released.
  • Warner Bros announce that there would be a LEGO Batman Movie and a sequel to The LEGO Movie.
• 2016
  • Lego Nexo Knights is introduced
  • Lego Minifigures Series 15 and 16.
  • LEGO The Angry Birds Movie sets are released.

References

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

External links

• Timeline on the official Lego website