1932 – The Beginning
• Founded by: Ole Kirk Christiansen, a Danish carpenter.
• Origin: Billund, Denmark.
• Initial Products: Wooden toys, ironing boards, and stepladders.
1934 – The Name “LEGO”
• Derived from the Danish phrase “leg godt”, meaning “play well.”
• Coincidentally, “LEGO” also means “I put together” in Latin.
1947 – Plastic Enters the Scene
• LEGO® was among the first in Denmark to buy a plastic injection molding machine.
• Began producing plastic toys, including early interlocking bricks.
1958 – The Modern LEGO® Brick
• The current brick design, with tubes underneath, was patented on January 28, 1958.
• This design revolutionized playability and building stability.
LEGO® in the 1960s–1980s: The Golden Age of Vintage Sets
This era gave us some of the most cherished vintage LEGO® sets. Let’s explore some milestones and key sets:
1960s: Systematizing Play
• LEGO® introduced themes like Town Plan and Trains.
• Bricks became globally standardized and sets began to include instructions.
Notable Vintage Sets:
• LEGO® Town Plan (Set 810) – Released in 1961, included roads, vehicles, and buildings.
• LEGO® Train Set (Set 113) – Introduced in 1966, early sets were wind-up or battery-powered.
1970s: The Rise of Minifigures and Themes
• 1978: Introduction of the modern minifigure with movable arms and legs.
• Launch of iconic themes: LEGOLAND®, Space, Castle, and Town.
Notable Vintage Sets:
• LEGO® Space Galaxy Explorer (Set 497) – Released in 1979, it’s one of the most iconic early space sets.
• LEGO® Yellow Castle (Set 375) – 1978; famous for its bright yellow bricks and medieval theme.
1980s: Expansion and Innovation
• Creation of the LEGO® Group’s educational division (LEGO Dacta).
• Technic, Pirates, and Fabuland lines flourished.
• First LEGO® robots and programmable sets were introduced in late 1980s (LEGO® Technic Control Center).
Notable Vintage Sets:
• LEGO® Pirate Ship Black Seas Barracuda (Set 6285) – 1989, beloved for its detailed design.
• LEGO® Technic Car Chassis (Set 8860) – Released in 1980, advanced building experience.
Other Classic Sets Worth Mentioning
• LEGO® Monorail Transport System (Set 6990) – 1987, a unique and futuristic transport set.
• LEGO® Forestmen’s Hideout (Set 6054) – 1988, part of the Castle subtheme with a Robin Hood vibe.
• LEGO® Airport Shuttle (Set 6399) – 1990, part of the classic Town theme.
Fun Facts
• LEGO® bricks made in 1958 still interlock with those made today.
• The LEGO® Group is still family-owned by the descendants of Ole Kirk Christiansen.
• Over 600 billion LEGO® parts have been produced.
Collecting Vintage LEGO(R)
• Vintage sets are highly collectible. Key features collectors look for:
o Original boxes and instructions
o Printed elements (before stickers became common)
o Classic minifigs with smiling yellow faces
• Prices for rare, complete vintage sets can reach thousands of dollars.