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 which is founded in Billund, Denmark.

1910s

 * 1916: Ole Kirk Christiansen purchases the small woodworking shop in Billund.
 * 1919: Godtfred Kirk Christiansen is born.

1920s

 * 1924: Ole Kirk's shop burns down when a fire ignites some wood shavings. Ole Kirk 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". Coincidentally, "Lego" also means "I assemble" in Latin.
 * 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 Kirk 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 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 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 actually 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.
 * 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.
 * 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:
 * Light & Sound sets are introduced.
 * 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.
 * 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.
 * 9V Technic motors are first introduced in Europe, starting phase-out of 4.5V system.
 * 1991
 * 9V Technic motors are introduced in other markets including North America.
 * 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.
 * 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.

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".
 * 2001
 * Lego Bionicle is launched both in Europe and United States.
 * 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.
 * Jorgen Vig Knurdstrom 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.
 * 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 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 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 Knurdstrom is appointed CEO of The LEGO Group (The first non-family CEO in Lego history)
 * 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.
 * 2006
 * Lego Exo-Force is introduced.
 * Lego Batman is introduced.
 * Avatar: The Last Airbender is introduced then discontinued.
 * 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 10th 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' 10th anniversary.
 * Legoland California 10th anniversary.
 * Lego Power Miners is introduced.
 * Lego Pirates is reintroduced.
 * Lego Batman is discontinued.
 * Lego Games are introduced.
 * Lego Space Police III is introduced.

2010s

 * 2010
 * Lego Ben 10.
 * Lego Atlantis is introduced.
 * Lego Toy Story.
 * Duplo Cars is introduced.
 * Lego Harry Potter is reintroduced.
 * Lego Prince of Persia.
 * Lego Hero Factory is introduced.
 * Lego Space Police III is discontinued.
 * Lego World Racers is introduced.
 * Lego Kingdoms is introduced.
 * 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 is introduced.
 * Lego Pirates of the Caribbean.
 * Lego Alien Conquest is introduced.
 * Lego Power Miners is discontinued.
 * SpongeBob SquarePants is reintroduced.
 * Duplo Winnie The Pooh is introduced.
 * Lego Life of George.
 * 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.
 * 2012
 * Lego Universe is discontinued.
 * Lego Dino.
 * Lego Minifigures Series 6, 7 and 8.
 * Legoland Malaysia opens.
 * Lego Super Heroes theme is introduced.
 * Lego Friends theme is introduced.
 * Lego Monster Fighters.
 * Lego Disney Princess is introduced.
 * Lego Alien Conquest is discontinued.
 * Lego Build and Rebuild is introduced.
 * Lego 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 Lone Ranger.
 * 2014
 * Lego Mixels.
 * Lego Minifigures Series 12.
 * Lego Ninjago is re-introduced
 * The Lego Movie, released theatrically in movie cinemas on February 7, 2014.
 * Lego 30th anniversary of Ghostbusters is introduced. Ecto-1.
 * The LEGO Movie (Theme).
 * Lego The Simpsons.
 * Lego Ultra Agents is introduced.
 * Lego Hobbit is discontinued.
 * 2015
 * Lego Minifigures Series 13 and 14.
 * Bionicle is re-released.
 * Lego Scooby Doo is released.
 * Warner Bros announce that there would be a LEGO Batman Movie and a sequel to The LEGO Movie.
 * 2016
 * Lego Nexo Knights is introduced
 * Lego Minifigures Series 15 and 16.
 * LEGO The Angry Birds Movie sets are released.
 * 2017
 * Lego Batman Movie Minifigures Series
 * The Lego Batman Movie released in Cinemas, distributed by Warner Bros.
 * Lego Batman Movie (theme)
 * Lego Minifigures Series 17
 * The Lego Ninjago Movie released in Cinemas on September 22, 2017.
 * Lego Ninjago Movie Video Game releases on PS4, Xbox One and, Microsoft Windows on September 22, 2017.
 * 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
 * 2018
 * Lego J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World, Lego Unikitty!, and Lego The Powerpuff Girls are introduced.