Ole Kirk Christiansen, a carpenter from Billund in Denmark started his business in 1932 with the goal of encouraging inventive play and creativity in children. In the beginning, he produced stepladders but the effects of the Great Depression forced him to adapt and evolve his business model. He switched his focus to manufacturing toys, and in the process he created one of the most beloved brands in history.

Christiansen was a forward-thinker and was quick to adopt new materials and technologies. In 1947, he was the first company to acquire an injection molding machine made of plastic in the world. This greatly enhanced the range of capabilities and options for Lego products. The machine also let him create a prototype that would eventually become an iconic Lego brick. The bricks featured pegs on top and hollow bottoms that were interlocked with each and allowed children to create intricate structures far beyond the capabilities of the wooden blocks of the past.

The 1950s were a time of growth for the company. Kjeld Kirk Christiansen, Godtfred Kirk Christian’s daughter was a member of the management team and started modernizing the manufacturing techniques of the company. This expansion saw the introduction of a dollhouse line and furniture for girls, as well as the very first minifigures that were sold as individual pieces. In 1979 the company expanded into space with sets presenting astronaut minifigures and rockets, lunar places to take your kids rovers, and spaceships and also into the medieval realm with a Castle theme.

In 1990, Lego released three Model Team Sets that were made for builders who were advanced. These sets included small parts like gears, axles, and levers, as well as an amount of realisticity and accuracy that was unheard of in the Lego series at the time.