Lego timeline

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

1890s

* 1895:
** The woodworking shop, "Billund Woodworking and Carpenter's Shop", which would eventually evolve into the Lego company, was founded in Billund.

1910s

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

1920s

* 1920:
** Godtfred Kirk Christiansen is born.
* 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.

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".
* 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 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."

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.
* 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.
** 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 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.

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 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.

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 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.
* 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.
** 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.
* 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".
** 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.
** 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 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.
** Lego Education is 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".
** 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 changed to Lego Magazine.
** Legoland Germany opened 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.
* 2006
** Lego Exo-Force is introduced.
** Lego Batman is introduced.
** Avatar: The Last Airbender is introduced then discontinued.
** Lego 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 tenth 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' tenth anniversary.
** Legoland California tenth anniversary.
** Lego Power Miners is introduced.
** Lego Ninjago Concept of the theme were created by Creators
** Lego Pirates is reintroduced.
** Lego Batman is discontinued.
** Lego Games are introduced.
** Lego Space Police III is introduced.
** Lego Muji is introduced.

2010s

* 2010
** Lego Ben 10: Alien Force is introduced.
** Lego Atlantis is introduced.
** Lego Toy Story is introduced.
** Duplo Cars is introduced.
** Lego Harry Potter is reintroduced.
** Lego Prince of Persia is introduced.
** Lego Hero Factory is introduced
** Lego Space Police III is discontinued.
** Lego World Racers is introduced.
** Lego Kingdoms is introduced.
** Lego 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 2 is introduced.
** Lego Pirates of the Caribbean.
** Lego Alien Conquest is introduced.
** Lego Power Miners is discontinued.
** Lego SpongeBob SquarePants is reintroduced.
** Duplo Winnie The Pooh is introduced.
** Lego Life of George is introduced.
** 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.
** Lego Super Heroes theme is introduced.
* 2012
** The Lego Group celebrates their eightieth anniversary.
** Lego Universe is discontinued.
** Lego Dino is introduced.
** Lego Minifigures Series 6, 7 and 8.
** Legoland Malaysia opens.
** Lego Friends theme is introduced.
** Lego Monster Fighters is introduced.
** Lego Disney Princess is introduced.
** Lego Alien Conquest is discontinued.
** Lego Build and Rebuild is introduced.
** Lego The 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 The Lone Ranger is introduced.
* 2014
** Lego celebrates the sixtieth anniversary of the Lego System.
** Lego Mixels is introduced.
** Lego Minifigures Series 12 is introduced.
** Lego Ninjago is re-introduced.
** The Lego Movie, released theatrically in movie cinemas on February 7, 2014.
** Lego thirtieth anniversary of Ghostbusters is introduced. Ecto-1.
** The Lego Movie (Lego theme) is introduced.
** Lego Fusion is introduced.
** Lego The Simpsons is introduced.
** Lego Ultra Agents is introduced.
** Lego The Hobbit is discontinued.
* 2015
** Lego Minifigures Series 13 and 14.
** Lego Bionicle is reintroduced.
** Lego Speed Champions is introduced.
** Lego Scooby-Doo is released.
** Warner Bros announce that there would be a LEGO Batman Movie and a sequel to The LEGO Movie.
** Lego Jurassic World is released.
* 2016
** Lego Nexo Knights is introduced
** Lego Minifigures Series 15 and 16.
** Lego Ghostbusters is introduced.
** Lego Stranger Things is introduced.
** Lego DC Super Hero Girls is introduced.
** Lego The Angry Birds Movie sets are released.
** Lego BrickHeadz is introduced.
** Lego Bionicle reboot is discontinued.
** Lego Ninjago celebrate fifth anniversary with TV Halloween Special.
* 2017
** The Lego Batman Movie Minifigures Series
** The Lego Batman Movie released in Cinemas, distributed by Warner Bros.
** The Lego Batman Movie (Lego theme) is introduced.
** Lego Minifigures Series 17 is introduced.
** The Lego Ninjago Movie released in Cinemas on September 22, 2017.
** The Lego Ninjago Movie Video Game releases on PS4, Xbox One and, Microsoft Windows on September 22, 2017.
** The Lego Ninjago Movie (Lego theme) is introduced.
** It is revealed that Unikitty, a character from The Lego Movie, would have her own TV show on Cartoon Network, titled "Unikitty!".
** Jorgen Vig Knurdstrom steps down as CEO and Bali Padda is appointed CEO on 1 January 2017
** Bali Padda steps down as CEO and Niels B. Christiansen is appointed new CEO 1 October 2017
** The social media app Lego Life is launched.
* 2018
** Lego celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of the Lego minifigure.
** Lego J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World, a new name for the Lego Harry Potter theme, is re-introduced.
** Lego Unikitty! is introduced.
** Lego The Powerpuff Girls is introduced.
** Lego Overwatch is introduced.
* 2019
** Lego City Sky Police is introduced.
** The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part released in Cinemas on February 8, 2019.
** The Lego Movie 2 (Lego theme) is introduced.
** It is announced that Warner Bros. to sell rights to The Lego Movie franchise to Universal Pictures.
** Lego Hidden Side is introduced.

2020s

* 2020
** Lego Trolls World Tour is introduced.
** Lego Minions: The Rise of Gru is introduced.
** Lego Super Mario is introduced.
** Lego Monkie Kid is introduced.
** Lego DOTS is introduced.
** Lego Art is introduced.
** Lego Brick Sketches is introduced.
** Lego Ghostbusters is discontinued.
** Lego Hidden Side is discontinued.
** Lego Star Wars 20th Anniversary.
** It was revealed that the deal with Universal was set 5-years deal for The Lego Movie franchise.
* 2021
** Lego Vidiyo is introduced.
** Lego Trolls World Tour is discontinued.
** Lego Ninjago theme celebrate tenth anniversary with upcoming Seasons.
* 2022
** The Lego Group celebrates their ninetieth anniversary.
** Lego Vidiyo is discontinued.
** Lego Friends theme celebrate tenth anniversary of building friendships and future creators.
** Lego Avatar is introduced.
* 2023
** Lego Sonic the Hedgehog is introduced.

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

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lego Timeline
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