Business Movers
Building Lego | Out of the Ashes | 1
Aug 10, 2023
A small Danish toy company survives World War Two by manufacturing plastic bricks, but faces bankruptcy. The shift to plastic manufacturing causes tensions within the family-owned company. After a fire destroys the factory, Ole Kirk rebuilds the company. A disagreement arises over sales figures and toy production. The strained relationship between Ole Kirk and Godfred leads to a battle of perspectives on expanding the Lego factory.
35:40
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Quick takeaways
- Lego's transition to plastic toys allowed for quicker production, durability, and innovative designs.
- Gottfried's shift in perspective and dedication to improving the quality of plastic toys propelled Lego to worldwide success.
Deep dives
Transition from Wooden Toys to Plastic
In the 1940s, Lego, a Danish toy manufacturer, faced the challenge of rebuilding after a factory fire. Founder Ole Kirk Christiansen decided to switch from making wooden toys to plastic, a bold move that his son, Gottfried Kirk Christians, initially resisted. Despite the financial risks, Ole Kirk believed in the future of plastic toy production and invested in a plastic molding machine from England. The transition to plastic allowed for quicker production, durability, and the ability to create innovative designs.
