The Danish toymaker rose from poverty to create LEGO, one of the world’s most recognizable and profitable toy brands.
Vital Stats
Born in Denmark April 1891, the youngest of 10 children.
Died March 1958 after a heart attack.
Honing His Craft
Ole Kirk Christiansen was a master carpenter by trade. In 1932, he began making household items and toys in Billund, Denmark, making household items and toys.
Christiansen later named his company LEGO, from the Danish words “Leg Godt”, meaning “play well”. Christiansen’s son, Godtfred, joined the business in 1942.
New Beginning
A fire destroyed Christiansen’s woodworking facility in 1944. The factory re-opened in 1947 focusing solely on toy production.
They added toy bricks to the product line in 1950, at Godtfred’s suggestion. In 1953, LEGO moved from wooden toys into plastics.
Building an Empire
The “LEGO System of Play” was launched in 1955 and included 28 different playsets and eight toy vehicles.
LEGO patented its bricks-stud system in 1958.
Ole Kirk Christiansen died later that year, leaving Godtfred to run the company.
Legacy
Christiansen’s toy-making business became a multi-billion dollar company.
It now owns nine LEGO-themed amusement parks and numerous retail outlets around the world.
