Everything Everywhere Daily LEGO
Nov 13, 2025
Discover the fascinating journey of Lego, from its humble beginnings during the Great Depression to a global phenomenon. Learn how the brand shifted from wooden toys to plastic bricks, offering precision manufacturing that ensures quality. Delve into the world of adult collectors with exclusive, pricey sets and the brand's clever licensing strategies, including partnerships with popular franchises. Explore Lego's expansion into media and theme parks, solidifying its place in pop culture and demonstrating its remarkable adaptability over the years.
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Humble Origins And A Devastating Fire
- Ole Kirk Christiansen founded Lego in 1932 as a wooden-toy maker during the Great Depression.
- A 1942 factory fire destroyed his work, but he rebuilt with help from employees, friends, and family.
Plastic Shift Fueled Rapid Growth
- Postwar plastics inspired Christensen to buy an injection molding machine and shift from wood to plastic.
- Within two years, plastic bricks became 50% of Lego's business and rebranded as Lego Bricks.
Design Standardization Created Longevity
- The modern interlocking brick design and ABS plastic patent in 1958 fixed versatility and durability issues.
- That standardization lets every piece interconnect across sets, enabling huge combinatorial variety.