Chloe Zhang
Lego, the popular plastic building-block toy, originated in the carpentry workshop of Danish furniture maker Ole Kirk Christiansen, who began making wooden toys in 1932. The company was named Lego, a contraction of the Danish phrase leg godt, meaning play well. In 1947, Christiansen bought an injection moulding machine to make plastic toys, and in 1949, Lego produced its first plastic brick, a precursor to its signature brick with interlocking studs on the top and tubes on the bottom. This brick was patented in 1958, and the basic Lego brick has remained the same since then. So, what was the first plastic Lego set?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of first plastic set | 1949 |
| Name of the set | Automatic Binding Bricks |
| Type of bricks | Plastic bricks with interlocking studs on the top and tubes on the bottom |
| Plastic used | Cellulose acetate |
| Plastic toys as a % of company output by 1951 | 50% |
| Year of first plastic Lego wheels | 1961 |
| Year of first plastic Lego minifigures | 1978 |
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What You'll Learn
The first plastic Lego brick was produced in 1949
The Lego company began in 1932 in the carpentry workshop of Danish furniture maker Ole Kirk Christiansen. Initially, he crafted wooden toys, but in 1947, Lego purchased a plastic injection moulding machine. This new technology allowed Lego to create plastic toys, and in 1949, the company produced its first plastic brick. These early plastic bricks were marketed under the name 'Automatic Binding Bricks' and are considered the forerunner of the Lego brick we know today.
The basic Lego brick design has remained unchanged since the 1950s, and this simple, child-friendly design has been credited with the toy's longevity and massive popularity in the mid-20th century. By 1951, plastic toys accounted for half of the company's output, and by 1954, Lego's plastic bricks were being sold in foreign markets, with a focus on the Nordic countries. Despite this, plastic products initially were not well-received by customers, who preferred wooden or metal toys.
Over the years, Lego continued to modify its system, introducing new moulds and colours, as well as expanding its product line. In 1955, Lego released the "Town Plan" set, which included plastic Lego building bricks. In the 1960s, Lego expanded its sales to North America and introduced the first Lego wheels, allowing for the construction of cars, trucks, and other vehicles. In 1969, Lego introduced the Duplo line of larger bricks for younger children, and in 1978, the company launched its first minifigures.
Lego has continued to innovate and expand its product offerings, becoming one of the most successful toy brands in history. The company has released thousands of sets with various themes, including space, pirates, trains, castles, and more. Lego has also branched into electronic games, robotics, and prosthetic systems for children. The basic Lego brick may have been invented in 1949, but the company has built upon that foundation to create a diverse and enduring range of products.
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Plastic toys accounted for half of Lego's output by 1951
Lego, a line of plastic construction toys, was first developed in 1932 in a carpentry workshop in Denmark. The name Lego, derived from the Danish phrase "leg godt", meaning "play well", was given to the company in 1934. In 1946, after World War II, the founder, Ole Kirk Christiansen, bought a plastic injection moulding machine to experiment with plastic toys. By 1949, he had developed the now-familiar plastic building blocks with circular studs on top, which could be interlocked and connected in various ways. These plastic bricks were marketed under the name Automatic Binding Bricks, and they were the forerunners of the modern Lego brick.
In 1951, plastic toys accounted for half of Lego's production. This shift towards plastic toys was significant, especially considering that plastic was not well-received by customers initially, who preferred wooden or metal toys. Lego's early plastic sets included trucks, cars, trailers, and a one-car garage with a plastic door. They also released a plastic vehicle line, with vehicles that were compatible with most Lego sets, including garages. Despite the initial preference for wooden toys, Lego's high standards and innovative designs, such as the “Lego System of Play” launched in 1955, which emphasised the interoperability of blocks, helped the company succeed.
Lego continued to innovate and expand its product line, introducing model sets with instructions in 1964 and expanding its sales internationally. By 1967, Lego sets were sold in 42 countries, with between 18 to 19 million sets sold worldwide that year. Lego's focus on quality and innovation, such as its move into the plastic age, played a crucial role in its success and helped it become one of the most iconic names in the toy business.
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Lego's first plastic sets were based on small towns
The early plastic sets included accessory packs to help builders expand their towns, such as trucks, cars, and trailers. There was also a set called "Painted Trees and Bushes" to add greenery to the towns. Lego also released road signs as a standalone set in 1955.
The first plastic sets were based on mundane buildings, such as garages and gas stations. One of the first sets was a one-car garage with a plastic door that could be opened and closed. Lego also released a plastic vehicle line in 1955, with 1:87 scale vehicles that were compatible with most Lego sets, including the garage.
Lego's first licensed plastic set was based on Volkswagen's car design, with a showroom for VW cars. The set came with two plastic VW Beetles that could be placed on display. Another early set was the Esso Filling Station, which came with a plastic Esso-branded tanker. This set was the first to be advertised as a standalone rather than a component of a larger town.
Lego's plastic sets based on small towns and their buildings were a hit, and the company continued to innovate and expand its offerings.
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Lego's first plastic sets included cars, trucks, and trailers
Lego's first plastic sets were marketed in 1949 and were known as "Automatic Binding Bricks". These plastic bricks were the forerunner of the Lego brick that we know today. Lego's first plastic sets included cars, trucks, and trailers, as well as other vehicles.
In 1955, Lego released the "Town Plan", which used plastic Lego bricks as the system. This set included a one-car garage, with a plastic door that could be opened and closed. Lego also released a line of plastic 1:87 scale vehicles that were compatible with most Lego sets, including the garage.
Lego's first licensed sets were based on the cars of the Volkswagen automobile company. This license came from Lego's plastic car line, which was based on Volkswagen's car design. The first set of this licensed theme was a showroom for VW cars, which included two plastic VW Beetles that could be placed on display.
Lego's early plastic sets also included trucks that could be taken apart and reassembled. In addition to vehicles, Lego's first plastic sets also included accessory sets to help builders expand their towns, such as painted trees and bushes, as well as individual bricks to customize parts of the town, such as additional doors and windows.
While Lego's plastic toys initially struggled to gain acceptance, with customers preferring wooden or metal toys, the company persevered and eventually found success with their plastic line. By 1954, plastic toys accounted for half of the company's output, and Lego's plastic bricks soon caught on throughout Europe.
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The first plastic Lego sets were not well-received by customers
Lego was started in 1932 by a Danish carpenter, Ole Kirk Christiansen, who began making wooden toys. The company was named Lego, short for the Danish phrase "leg godt", meaning "play well", in 1934. In 1947, after World War II, Christiansen bought an injection moulding machine to make plastic toys. In 1949, Lego began producing plastic versions of their toys, including an early version of the now-famous interlocking bricks, called "Automatic Binding Bricks".
However, these first plastic Lego sets were not well-received by customers. At the time, plastic toys were a novel concept, and consumers preferred traditional wooden or metal toys. This preference for wooden toys was also reflected in the Danish trade magazine, Legetøjs-Tidende ("Toy Times"), which reported in the early 1950s that plastic would never replace wooden toys. Unfortunately for Lego, this prediction initially came true, as many of their plastic toy shipments were returned due to poor sales.
There were also technical limitations with the first plastic Lego bricks. Their "locking" ability was limited, and they lacked versatility. These issues were eventually addressed in 1959 with the addition of hollow tubes to the underside of the brick, improving their stability and versatility.
Despite the initial challenges, Lego persevered with their plastic line. In 1955, they released the "Town Plan", a system of plastic Lego building bricks that could be used to create structures. This release marked a turning point, as Lego toys gradually gained popularity and became a notable exception to the general dislike of plastic toys. By 1958, Lego had patented their bricks in their present form, with improved interlocking capabilities, and continued to modify their designs over time.
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Frequently asked questions
The first plastic Lego set was the Esso Filling Station, released in 1955. It was the first set to be advertised as a standalone rather than a component of a larger town.
The first plastic Lego brick was called the Automatic Binding Brick. It was marketed in 1949 and was the forerunner of the Lego brick we know today.
The first plastic Lego sets were all based on buildings seen in a small town. The first sets focused on the mundane, including a one-car garage and gas stations.
