A Danish carpenter named Ole Kirk Christiansen started making wooden bricks for his kids’ toys in 1932. He had no idea that this modest beginning would lay the foundation for a toy empire. In 1949, he and his son and business partner Godtfred Kirk Christiansen switched from selling wooden to plastic bricks and marketed them as “Automatic Binding Bricks.”. “.
The business was later renamed Lego, and it has since grown to be among the most well-known and prosperous toy brands in history. Unexpectedly, a lot of people are unaware of what the name Lego means.
What Does “Lego” Mean in Real Life?
The Danish words “leg godt,” which translate to “play well,” are the source of the name Lego. It also translates to “I put together” in Latin, a meaning that perfectly captures the essence of the company. Ole Kirk Christiansen considered the name “LEGIO,” which means “legions,” but ultimately decided against it because he felt that Lego represented high-quality play and a commitment to children’s development through play. Every Lego brick now carries the company’s pledge to provide a toy that inspires kids’ imaginations, creativity, and joy.
Godtfred Kirk Christiansen continued his father’s mission by creating a toy that would help children develop their imagination, creativity, and the joy of creation that is innate in every human being. With locations across five continents and more than 23,000 employees, Lego products are currently available in more than 130 countries.
Starting Small and Growing into a World Phenomenon.
On the other hand, the Lego company had a modest beginning. In 1916, Ole Kirk Christiansen opened a carpenter shop where he sold various furniture items like ladders and stools.
Sadly, everything was destroyed, including their family home, in 1924 when his boys unintentionally started a fire. Christiansen didn’t let it deter him; he saw it as an opportunity to grow his company. However, the family faced financial difficulties when the Great Depression began in 1929. Christiansen had to fire a lot of workers after his wife passed away in 1932, which made things worse.
Because of the financial crisis, Christiansen had to find practical items that people would buy. These inexpensive items included cheap toys. Christiansen even filed for bankruptcy at first because it was challenging. He refused his siblings’ loan request after they demanded that he stop selling toys in exchange for it. At this point, he recognized his true talent as a toymaker, and his creations started to gain notoriety and sell.
By the 1940s, Christiansen’s designs had gained widespread recognition. His best-selling duck on wheels with an opening and closing beak is still adored by vintage collectors today.
However, he did face some challenges on his journey.
Another fire destroyed his entire facility when Germany invaded Denmark in 1942. Christiansen recognized a further chance to revitalize and grow his business. Businesses turned to plastic as a low-cost replacement after WWII when many trade materials were in short supply.
An important manufacturing technique that evolved was plastic injection molding, in which molten plastic is poured into a mold to produce specific shapes. Nevertheless, Denmark forbade its commercial use until 1947 due to its scarcity.
In spite of this, Christiansen began experimenting with new toy designs in 1946 after buying his first molding machine. The company introduced the Automatic Binding Brick, the first version of the Lego brick, in 1949. These unique self-locking bricks were modeled after ideas from the Kiddicraft company in the UK, which Lego was given permission to use at the time. In 1981, Lego formally obtained the rights to these creations.
A system for resilience and play.
Tragically, Ole Kirk Christiansen passed away in 1958. Soon after, his son Godtfred Kirk Christiansen came up with a “System of Play” that revolutionized the Lego experience. This creative idea was founded on the idea that all Lego bricks should be connected, enabling limitless play and creation. Lego’s success was based primarily on its System of Play.
However, only five years after the new system was introduced, tragedy struck once more. Lego decided to stop producing wooden toys and concentrate solely on plastic toys after a tragic fire destroyed the entire stockpile of wooden toys. Despite three fires, Lego persisted, grew, and eventually became the powerhouse it is today on a global scale.
A 90-Year Legacy of “Play Well.”.
A celebration of “90 years of play” will be held by Lego in 2022. The current owner, Kjeld Kirk Christiansen, is a descendant of Ole Kirk Christiansen, who founded the business. When my great-grandfather founded the company 90 years ago, he recognized that play could change children’s lives, said Lego Group Chairman Thomas Kirk Christiansen during his speech at the ceremony. It unites families and helps children acquire the skills necessary to reach their full potential. “.
Ole Kirk Christiansen had big dreams, even though his small workshop and limited resources were just the beginning. He wanted to make sure that as many kids as possible could enjoy the wonderful advantages of play. The company is dedicated to upholding Ole’s legacy by encouraging families all over the world to “play well,” whether it be in 1932, 2022, or even on Lego’s 100th Anniversary in 2032. “.
