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Wikipedia / Timeline of Lego

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

1890–1925

1891:

1895:

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

1916:

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.

1926–1975

1932:

  • Ole Kirk Christiansen's shop nearly goes bankrupt in the Great 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.

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.

  • 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."

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.

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.

  • 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.

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.

1970:

  • The company grows to 1,000 employees.

  • The company introduced a new LEGOLAND product line inspired by the theme park of the same name.

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.

1976–2025

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:

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.

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".

  • 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 succeeds 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.

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 previous 25 years.

  • Lego rereleases the Crusaders, Black Knights, and Dragon Masters themes.

  • Insectoids, a sub-line of Lego Space, are introduced.

  • Lego Cyberslam is introduced.

  • Factory in Manaus, Brazil, is closed.

1999

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 rebranded to Lego Magazine.

  • Legoland Germany opened on May 17, 2002 in Günzburg.

  • Lego Galidor is introduced.

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

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

  • The Lego Group celebrates their 90th anniversary.

  • Lego Vidiyo is discontinued.

  • Lego Friends theme celebrate tenth anniversary of building friendships and future creators.

  • Lego Avatar is introduced.

2023

2024

  • Lego Animal Crossing is introduced.

  • Lego Star Wars 25th Anniversary.

  • Lego Despicable Me is reintroduced.

  • Lego The Legend of Zelda is introduced.

  • Lego Fortnite is introduced.

  • Lego Wicked is introduced.

2025

  • Lego One Piece is introduced.

  • Lego Star Trek is introduced.

2026–present

2026

References

  • 50 Years of Play - Internal Lego publication from 1982

  • The World of Lego Toys, Henry Wiencek, 1987