Constructor "LEGO" - who does not know him? Blocks consisting of plastic elements covered with pimples have become not just an indispensable attribute in a set of children's toys, but even a part of world pop culture. With their help, they make characters from cult fairy tales, films - anything that brings joy and a smile. However, few people know the history of the manufacturer of the designer "LEGO", which is associated with the tragedy.
Story
It all started with the fact that at the beginning of the XX century, Ole Christiansen was born the tenth child of poor farmers. He became a carpenter. If you have not heard anything about the country of manufacture, whose company LEGO produces, then most likely you will be interested to know that the company originates in Denmark, and it was Kristiansen who became its founder. In Billund, he set up a carpentry workshop specializing, in particular, in the manufacture of stairs. But a crisis erupted. However, this fate was not enough: this father of 4 children lost his wife - she died, and then his workshop burned down!
The widower, to calm the grief of his beloved children, cut a small duck for them from a tree - a simple toy. This was liked not only by the kids, but also by other families. He decided to start manufacturing such toys, quickly gained popularity in the area.
It was 1932. Thanks to local success, the company moved off the ground - he soon began to plan the production of other toys so as not to fall out of the market. I decided to produce blocks from which children could build, in particular, castles and other structures.
The brand
In 1934, Christiansen changed the name of the toy company to “LEGO” - an abbreviation for the Danish phrase “Leg godt” (have fun). So, we found out that the Lego manufacturing country is Denmark. The factory grew, in the early 40s, the eldest son of the owner, Gottfred Christiansen, began to work on it. Things were going so well that the family bought Denmark's first plastic injection molding machine and started manufacturing plastic toys in 1947.
And two years later, she began to produce the blocks that we know today. Their design was greatly improved in 1958. At that time, the famous blocks were patented. The company enjoyed great success in Denmark, and began to enter foreign markets. And then another tragedy occurred - Ole Kirk Christiansen died of a heart attack. The company began to manage his son.
Tragic replay
History loves to repeat itself. Two years after the death of the founder of the company, a fire broke out in the factory! This accelerated the decision to stop the production of wooden toys. But the products began to be exported, in particular, to the USA. And in 1968, the first Legoland was launched in Billund - an entertainment city built from a designer. Another director of the company was the grandson of the founder Keld, and in 2004 the leadership was entrusted to a person from outside. However, so far most of the shares remain in the hands of the founder's family. Therefore, when asked which production country LEGO is, people again answer that it is Denmark.
Name history
The name Lego is an abbreviation for two Danish words. The firm itself claims that it means "play well." This is their name and our goal.
Over the past 80 years, the company has gone through incredible development - from a small private company to the modern global business, which today is the third largest toy manufacturer.
Products
The small block is the most important product of the company. Twice the product of the manufacturer "LEGO" received the title "toy of the century". Details have undergone major changes over the years, but the traditional brick remains the starting point.
The presence of many shades makes it unique. Those who come into contact with colorful elements just need to turn on their imagination and give free rein to the flow of creativity.
The brick block is one of the best toys, and no one needs to be convinced of this. It has been known since ancient times that playing with them brings joy to children and develops them from a very young age. Building from cubes includes imagination, affects sleight of hand and visual coordination. Funny little bricks allow you to create your own unique world. Such a game is a real challenge and a great workout for patience.
Sometimes it takes a lot of effort to create the desired design. Almost anyone who encounters these blocks wonders who invented the LEGO whose producer country. The designer became popular thanks to an idea that appealed to everyone.
It should be noted that initially a small Danish company managed to grow into a whole world. At the moment, sets from him have become the most popular gifts for Christmas and many other holidays. Almost every young person remembers from childhood how these brick blocks were scattered across the floor, and what it was like to step on. In the manufacture of its product, the company managed to find a balance between preserving the original traditions and introducing innovations. All this keeps her afloat for such a long time. The benefits that LEGO manufacturers bring to people are also obvious. Such toys develop the imagination of children and allow them to realize their fantasies.
Product variations
Thus, the history of the LEGO brand reaches its peak in the first half of the 20th century. The date when the company was founded is not the moment of the appearance of the cubes that everyone knows today. The history of the manufacturer "LEGO" is actually much more complex and very interesting, and even inspiring. It is enough to get to know her closer to understand this.
In numbers
In 2015, the manufacturer LEGO built a tower of these blocks in Milan. Its height reached 35.05 meters. This is the tallest fragmentary structure of cubes.
The largest LEGO set consists of 5,900 elements, and this is the famous Taj Mahal. The Indian temple is one and a half meters wide and 40 cm high. Previously, this kit cost about $ 300, but it has not been produced for a long time. In this regard, the complex now costs up to several thousand dollars. It is considered a rare and valuable thing.
The manufacturer LEGO released the first action figure in 1974. She looked different than the ones we know today. First of all, she was bigger. In turn, the first small part by the manufacturer "LEGO" was created in 1975. Mass production of men began later.
LEGO Duplo, although it is eight times the size of the standard unit, still remains compatible with it. One of the principles of the LEGO manufacturer is that all elements coincide.
Every second, 7 sets of this constructor are sold in the world, 40 billion LEGO bricks stacked on top of one another could connect the Earth to the Moon.
Views
The country of manufacture of the LEGO constructor creates all the conditions for the development of the company. And she, in turn, constantly introduces innovations, not stopping in improvement. An assortment of LEGO theme sets is published in catalogs published every six months. There is also information about upcoming updates. In addition to sets with thematic packages, new main blocks of different colors are produced.
LEGO Duplo
LEGO Duplo are brick blocks designed to take care of the smallest. Kids from a year and a half to five years can play with them. The upper age limit is conditional, as older children are also happy to build from Duplo. These bricks are larger than standard, making them easier to use. Duplo sets are designed so that children play and develop their imagination. LEGO Duplo for girls has more elements that little ladies like, and in LEGO Duplo for the boy there are more details related to their wishes.
Lego city
LEGO City is a series for older children. It is based on city life. Buildings, cars, the police, the fire department, the hospital, the railway, the airport, and even the space center — these and much more can be created from City kits. Four-year-olds can play this series already.
Lego friends
LEGO Friends are kits designed for girls. They have animals, houses, cafes, a riding club, the town of Heartlake City. Girls can create the world they dream of with the five LEGO Friends heroines.
LEGO Ninjago
LEGO Ninjago is a toy for boys. The leitmotif of this series is the ninja and their enemies. Dragons, fortresses, pirate airships and various items necessary for serious battles, limited only by children's imagination, appear.
Lego creator
LEGO Creator is a line of Lego sets based on construction, but rather on creating what a girl or boy dreams of. You can build a Ferrari 10248, a winter toy store, a Ferris wheel, or the most famous buildings in the world. The manufacturer "LEGO" made sure that the details were bright. The sets are designed in such a way that from the same cubes, you can do three different things.
LEGO Technic
LEGO Technic is a real challenge for design engineers and young craftsmen. Kits from this line, like all others, have attached instructions for use, but require little technical experience. Cars of this series are very precisely made, they have working steering systems and a lot of parts. There are so many of them that the end result of the game exceeds expectations.
The LEGO brand keeps up to date. Therefore, in addition to the classic sets of brick blocks, Lego series based on films and fairy tales also appear. So, LEGO Star Wars, LEGO Angry Birds have already been released.
The history of the company is the most vivid evidence that it cares about customers. Her priority is to make sure that everyone can find something for themselves. Fans of medieval castles, space expeditions, architecture, racing car fans, little princesses and great pirates - each of them will be able to create their own world from LEGO bricks. Therefore, these sets have become so popular.