The inventors of lego toys by erin hagar goodreads. The company has passed from father to son and is now owned by kjeld kirk kristiansen. Dec 25, 1977 the entire lego organization, consisting of 29 companies in all, is owned by godtfred kirk christiansen and his wife, son and daughter. He was married to kirstine sorensen and father of johannes christiansen, karl georg kirk christiansen, godtfred kirk christiansen and gerhardt kirk christiansen. Still privately owned by the family of the lego creator, danish carpenter ole kirk christiansen, lego has proved to be the building block of so many childhoods around the world. By the mid 1930s the company had 42 different product ranges, which were expensive but popular. The lego history timeline ole kirk kristiansen, master carpenter and joiner, establishes his business in the village of billund, denmark. Ole kirk was born in the filskov village, located between sonder omme and give in central jutland denmark. Aug 24, 2012 as the lego group celebrates its 80th birthday, we take a look back at its history with this short animated film. He was a carpenter who started making wooden toys in.
Ole kirk okc was born into poverty in the farming community of. Inspired by the very first toys handcrafted in wood by lego creator ole kirk christiansen. A few kilometres outside of billund, denmark a town famous for its connection to the lego name and the original legoland theme park in the grene church cemetery, is the final resting place of ole kirk christiansen. The unofficial illustrated history of the lego phenomenon. Ole would draw up a design guide for his employees to follow. In this success story, we are going to share ole kirk christiansen biography and the history of lego, a great danish toy company that he founded. The historical quality culture of the lego group it all began in 1932 where the founder, ole kirk christiansen, a carpenter from billund in. As the lego group celebrates its 80th birthday, we take a look back at its. History of lego biography denmark antique cars toys amazing people vintage cars old school cars. Lego history dates back to 1932 when ole kirk christiansen april 07, 1891 march 11, 1958. In 1949 lego produced its first plastic brick, a precursor to its signature brick with interlocking studs on.
Thanks to ole kirk christiansen, a carpenter from denmark, just about everyone is familiar with lego. The entire lego organization, consisting of 29 companies in all, is owned by godtfred kirk christiansen and his wife, son and daughter. Christiansen combines and abbreviates two danish words, leg godt play well, into lego. He was born in 1891 in the village of filskovand, denmark and was the tenth child of jens niels christiansen and kirstine christiansen. The lego group began in the carpentry workshop of ole kirk christiansen in billund, denmark. He began building wood blocks and in 1949 his company created the plastic interlocking. In 1932, christiansen started out developing wooden toys in an effort to make a living during tough economic times. In the b1 studio we have 129 up on display, not to mention the lego constructions and books we also have adorning our shelves. Kirk christiansen, now 57 years old, is the founders. Ole kirk christiansen started making wooden toys in the town of billund, denmark, during the depression of the 1930s, eventually naming his company lego, which loosely translated from danish means play well.
Ole kirk christiansen, the founder of lego, is a man who rose from being a bankrupt master carpenter to form one of the largest and most famous toy manufacturers in the world. The lego link notes that he used both spellings, and used ch more frequently himself. They have inspired multiple generations to be creative and to discover the possibilities of their imaginations. In 1957, the interlocking principle of lego bricks was born, and in 1958, the studandcoupling system was patented, which adds significant stability to built pieces.
Dec 15, 2015 in this engaging biography, readers will learn about the manufacturers of lego, the kristiansen family. Jul 23, 2012 the first halfcentury of legos history, however, is the tale of a successful postworld war ii scandinavian company. Two years later he named his company lego after the danish phrase leg godt play. Lego is the most popular building toy in the world. The disastrous backstory behind the invention of lego bricks. And this transformed them into the lego bricks we know today.
Oct 07, 2015 this is the story of ole kirk christiansen and how he created the lego bricks. The inventors of lego toys by erin hagar nook book ebook. The first halfcentury of legos history, however, is the tale of a successful postworld war ii scandinavian company. Legos were born in denmark in the workshop of ole kirk christiansen. Aug 29, 2018 the disastrous backstory behind the invention of lego bricks. He started his furniture shop on the lower floor of his house in 1916.
Ole kirk christiansen april 7, 1891 march 11, 1958 was the founder of lego in 1949 christiansen was born on april 7, 1891 in filskov, denmark. This includes ole kirk christiansen, godtfred kirk christiansen and kjeld kirk kristiansen. Ole kirk christiansen was an enthusiastic but straightforward carpenter staying there. The workshop burned down in 1924 when a fire ignited some wood shavings. Aug 10, 2012 as the lego group celebrates its 80th birthday, we take a look back at its history with this short animated film. Ole kirk christiansen 7 april 1891 11 march 1958 was a danish carpenter. Today, lego is one of the biggest toy companies in the world, but a long time ago, a danish carpenter, ole kirk christiansen, started with just an idea. The first legos werent painted, but they started painting them when they started to sell them. The story of ole kirk and the lego company origins hasnt ever been told. Ole kirk christiansen biography, inventions and facts. Tell your story customize the minifigure any way you want to show the world your unique brand of creativity. The lego story started in a danish woodworking shop in the days before electricity. Follow the familys story from denmark where ole kirk christiansen began making wooden toys in his billund carpentry shop and lumberyard to the companys evolution to. Somehow, one of the biggest companies ever created, started in 1891, with the birth of child ole kirk christiansen.
Lego blocks originated in the billund, denmark, workshop of ole kirk christiansen, who began making wooden toys in 1932. In fact, it was a few years into the great depression that created desperation and economic calamity worldwide. In 1932, christiansen founded the danish construction toy company the lego group. They all took significant roles in changing and shaping the danish lego company to be what it is today. Lego, the lego logo, the minifigure, duplo, legends of chima, ninjago, bionicle, mindstorms and mixels are trademarks and s of the lego group. Ole kirk christiansen 18911958 begins making wooden toys in his workshop in billund, denmark. Ole kirk christiansen was a danish carpenter and creator of one of the most beloved childrens toy companies of all time, lego.
In the first half of the 20th century, danish carpenter ole kirk christiansen created one of the most beloved toys of all time, enjoyed all over the world by millions of children and quite a few adults as well. Danish toymaker ole kirk christiansen 18911958 founded the lego group, one of the worlds largest toy manufacturers. Apr 14, 2019 thanks to ole kirk christiansen, a carpenter from denmark, just about everyone is familiar with lego. Jul 16, 2017 lego toys first started in 1932 by ole kirk christiansen. Sep 19, 2017 even during its earliest days in the 1930s, lego faced intense challenges, according to david c. The short film is first set in denmark and explores the origin and history of lego through the experiences of the kirk kristiansen family. Ole kirk christiansen biography history of lego, kirk.
Enjoy reading a story about inventions, trials and failures, and brilliant success. Bilund was a small company when the lego company started. Lego toys first started in 1932 by ole kirk christiansen. The company has passed from father to son and is now owned by kjeld kirk kristiansen, a grandchild of the founder. Kirk christiansen, who developed the idea with the help of his son, godtfred.
At the time, billund was an obscure village, and ole kirk christiansen was just a simple carpenter with ambition. He first worked as a carpenter and later started creating unsuccessful toys for kids in denmark after his wifes death and had to raise four of his children on his own. Ole kirk christiansen bio, facts, family famous birthdays. The lego company initially manufactured wooden toys, and one of its bestselling toys in the 1930s was a pull along duck. Ole kirk christiansendanish toymaker ole kirk christiansen 18911958 founded the lego group, one of the worlds largest toy manufacturers. Christiansen s company began to focus primarily on the production of toys. And while founder ole kirk christiansen never lived to see his companys heyday, his. Lego bricks are joined together by studs on the top, and holes in the bottom of the brick commonly known as the studandtube connection. In this success story, we are going to share ole kirk christiansen biography and the history of lego. Born april seventh 1891 in filskov denmark, ole kirk lived in an impoverished family that had been hit hard by world war one and the depression that followed.
Ole kirk was the inventor of the most popular construction set in the world. He produces furniture such as ironing boards and wooden toys. The company used the highest quality of birch wood and sold a great variety of toys. Follow the familys story from denmark where ole kirk christiansen began making wooden toys in his billund carpentry shop and lumberyard to the companys evolution to the lego company. The historical quality culture of the lego group it all began in 1932 where the founder, ole kirk christiansen, a. History of lego everyones favorite building blocks. Christiansen first built the company to sell goods like. The first toy was a wooden duck with wheels on the bottom. Two years later he named his company lego after the danish phrase leg godt play well. Ole kirk christiansen lego and ole kirk christiansen. In this engaging biography, readers will learn about the manufacturers of lego, the kristiansen family.
He was born in the village of filskov, located between the towns of sonder omme and give in central jutland denmark. This is a timeline of oles life 1891 ole kirk christiansen is born in filskov denmark to an impoverished family 19111916 ole completes his apprenticeship under kristian blonde christiansen and finds work in germany and norway. Perhaps the most popular toy in all of history, lego bricks can build anything from a house to a spaceship. Lego group introduces the lego system of play with the first play and learn concept. The inventors of lego toys, tells the history of this toy in a wonderful way that children of all ages, and even the parents, will not want to put the book down. Ole kirk christiansen april 7, 1891 march 11, 1958 was the founder of the lego group. According to the manufacturer, a lego minifigure is a small, posable figure of a person or being. The export of denmark depends mainly on lego bricks.
Robertson, the author of brick by brick, a 20 history of lego. In 1916, christiansen purchased a woodworking shop in billund, which had been in business since 1895 8 the shop mostly helped construct houses and furniture and had a small staff of apprentices. Nice childrens book about lego developers and where the omnipresent. Also in 1958, ole kirk christiansen passed away and his son godtfred became head of the lego company. Bruce pascal, author of hot wheels prototypes lego is a part of our everyday worlda huge part, for many families.
Hailed as the toy of the century, the plastic lego bricks that make up the lego system of play were invented by ole kirk christiansen, a master carpenter, and his son, godtfred kirk. Ole decided to officially found an unnamed company later to become lego in 1932. Mar 20, 2019 still privately owned by the family of the lego creator, danish carpenter ole kirk christiansen, lego has proved to be the building block of so many childhoods around the world. He first worked as a carpenter and later started creating unsuccessful toys for kids in denmark after his wifes death and had to. A carpenter by training who began making wooden toys during the great depression, christiansen devised the multicolored plastic blocks that could be fashioned into numerous combinations of colors and shapes and which went on to become one of the worlds. Lego history dates back to 1932 when ole kirk christiansen april 07, 1891 march 11, 1958 founded the danish company to produce goods for daily use. Even during its earliest days in the 1930s, lego faced intense challenges, according to david c. Follow the familys story from denmark where ole kirk christiansen began making. The lego company was started by ole kirk christiansen a danish toy maker in 1935.
Timeline of oles life lego and ole kirk christiansen. This is the story of ole kirk christiansen and how he created the lego bricks. We take a peek into the past to explore the history of lego and why its appeal prevails today. The lego company manufactures 36000 pieces per minute.
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