From humble roots to most powerful brand on the planet
PARKING meters, cod wars and the opening of the UK’s first motorway share Lego’s 60th anniversary.
More than 480 billion bricks have been produced, which is enough for every person on the planet to own more than 80 each.
The firm also happens to be the world’s biggest tyre manufacturer.
In Billund village in Denmark, carpenter Godfred Christiansen first began creating wooden toys before the adventures in plastic started in 1949. Nine years later the brick received its patent. But becoming the world’s biggest toy-maker hasn’t always been easy.
In 2004 costs were spiralling and no one seemed to know the amount needed to create the toys.
Slashing the number of parts down to 6,000 was the first target. Dropping lines no one wanted and licensing sets from films such as Star Wars and Harry Potter helped the company get back on track. In 2017 it became the world’s most powerful brand, worth £5.6billion.
Today not only do children love the toy, excited AFOLs (Adult Fans of Lego) also gather to create jaw-dropping sets at conventions.
Lego now dominates the aisles in toy shops and will hopefully do so for many more years.