Invented by: Ole Kirk Christiansen Music: Free Play Music, Don’t Wink, 6/1/2011, www.freeplaymusic.com Invented by: Ole Kirk Christiansen Tessa D. May 11, 2011 Period 7 Computer #16

Lemelson MIT Program, Ole Kirk Christiansen, 5/16/11, http://web.mit.edu/invent/iow/christiansen.html

Invention: LEGOs “LEGO” is from the Danish word “Leg Godt” which means “play well.” In Latin, “LEGO” is translated to “I put together.” In 1949, LEGOs were still being made of wood. In 1953, LEGOs began to be sold in complete plastic block sets. And in 1954, the company put a trademark on the product which they renamed “LEGO Bricks”. The company officially launched the “LEGO System of Play” in 1955 which included 28 different sets and 8 toy vehicles. The bricks “stud-and-tube coupling system” was patented in 1958. LEGO sets were finally being sold in the United States in 1961. A larger version of LEGOs, called “DUPLO” was started to be manufactured in 1967 for younger children and toddlers. The LEGO company even started building amusement parks based on the LEGO toys in 1968. In 1977, LEGO “TECHNIC” sets were being made for older kids and teens. Over the years, LEGO started making robotic LEGO sets that could move, “see ” “hear,” and even “see” colors! LEGOs have been sold in 130 countries!

Inventor: Ole Kirk Christiansen Ole Kirk was born in 1891 in Filskov, Denmark. He set up his own business in Billund, Denmark in 1932. He made stepladders, ironing boards, wooden toys and more. The company’s most successful product, however, was wooden blocks. In 1934, the company adopted the name “LEGO”. Ole Kirk’s son, Godtfred Kirk Christiansen, started to work with his father. He was the Junior Vice President of the company. Sadly, Ole Kirk Christiansen died in 1958.