Lego timeline

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

19th century

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 is founded in Billund, Denmark.

20th century

1910s

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

1920s

:* July 6, 1920: Godtfred Kirk Christiansen was 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 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. [http://isodomos.com/technica/history/1940/1949.php] 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 Chistian 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.:* 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.::* 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 Hohenwehenstedt, 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 added boat and ship sets, with hull pieces that actually floated.::* 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 mini-figures 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 kids under fourteen 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 matured and became Technic.::* The Lego Group celebrates its 50th anniversary on August 13th.::* 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.:* 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.::* 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, Minneapolis, 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.::* Aquanauts, a sub-line of Lego Aquazone is introduced.::* Aquasharks, a sub-line of Lego Aquazone is introduced.::* 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::* [http://www.Lego.com Lego.com] is launched.::* Dark Forest, a sub-line of Lego Castle is introduced.::* Time Crusiers Is Introdudced::* Spyrius theme is discontinued.::* Exploriens, a sub-line of Lego Space are 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 Subline Of Time Crusiers Is Introduced::* Roboforce, a sub-line of Lego Space are 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 a Star Wars theme with Lucasfilm, beginning a trend of licensed Lego products.::* UFO and Insectoids themes are discontinued.::* Jungle a sub-line of Lego Adventurers is introduced.::* Lego Underground is introduced.::* Lego Slizers (Throwbots) is introduced.

21st century

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 in Europe::* Lego Bionicle is launched in the 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.

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.

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. ::* "" movie is released.::* Lego mini figure celebrates its 25th birthday.

2004

::* 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.

2005

::* Lego System celebrates its 50th anniversary.::* Lego Group sells Legoland parks to Merlin Entertainments Group::* Lego Alpha Team is discontinued. ::* January: Lego City is introduced.::* Lego Dino Attack/Dino 2010 is introduced.::* Lego Vikings is introduced.

2006

::* Lego Exo-Force is introduced.::* Lego Batman, and SpongeBob SquarePants building sets are introduced.::* Lego Sports is reintroduced.::* Remote control trains are introduced.::* Lego Mindstorms NXT is released.

2007

::* Lego Aqua Raiders is introduced.::* Lego Mars Mission is introduced.::* Lego 9V trains are officially discontinued.

2008

::* On January 28, 2008, Lego celebrated the 50th anniversary of the patent on its interlocking blocks.::* Lego minifigure celebrates its 30th birthday.::* Lego Agents is introduced.::* Lego Indiana Jones is Introduced.::* Lego Speed Racer is introduced.

2010s

2011

::*Lego Group license with Lucasfilm expires.

External links

* [http://www.Lego.com/eng/info/default.asp?page=timeline Timeline on the official Lego website]

References

* "50 Years of Play" - internal Lego publication from 1982
* "The World of LEGO® Toys", Henry Wiencek, 1987