The woodworking shop, 'Billund Woodworking and Carpenter's Shop', which would eventually evolve into the Lego company, was founded in Billund.

Ole Kirk Christiansen purchases the small woodworking shop in Billund.

Godtfred Kirk Christiansen, a key figure in the Lego Group's history, is born.

In August 1932, Ole Kirk Christiansen's carpentry workshop began producing wooden toys such as piggy banks, pull toys, cars, and trucks. Despite economic challenges, the business continued to create practical furniture and toys.

In 1934, two years after starting to make toys, Ole Kirk Christiansen officially named his company LEGO by combining two Danish words meaning 'play well'. This marked the official beginning of the iconic LEGO brand.

In January 1936, the LEGO Group changes its name to LEGO, derived from the Danish words 'LEG GODT' meaning 'Play Well', reflecting the company's focus on quality and enjoyable play.

The year 1936 saw a significant change as the company's name was officially changed to LEGO, a name that would become iconic in the toy industry.

In 1937, Ole Kirk Kristiansen makes a significant financial investment by purchasing a state-of-the-art milling machine for his company. The machine is bought for DKK 4,000, equivalent to one-third of the company's total profit the previous year, with the aim of improving the quality of wooden toys production.

Despite the outbreak of World War II, Ole Kirk Kristiansen continues to expand toy production. The demand for toys during the war increases, leading to a doubling of sales in the first two years. The halt in import activities and restrictions on metal and rubber usage further boost the production of Danish wooden toys, including LEGO.

In 1939, Ole Kirk Kristiansen repays a loan of DKK 3,000 with compound interest, a significant milestone in securing the company's future.

In 1940, the Kiddicraft Company patented the first Interlocking Building Cubes, featuring distinctive studs on top and hollows on the bottom for firm stacking. However, the full potential and versatility of the design were not fully realized at the time.

In March 1942, a devastating fire engulfs Ole Kirk Kristiansen's woodworking factory, almost destroying his life's work. Despite the loss, with the support of family, employees, and Vejle Bank's loan, Ole Kirk decides to rebuild the factory in Billund, securing the jobs of his employees. The new toy factory is completed by the end of the year, marking a new chapter for LEGO production.

By 1943, the company expands its workforce to 40 employees.

In 1944, Page applied an improvement to toy building blocks by introducing rectangular hollow blocks with 2X4 studs on top, enabling the construction of walls with staggered rows and window openings.

In 1947, LEGO ventured into the production of plastic toys, a move that would revolutionize the toy industry with its innovative designs.

By 1948, The Lego Group had grown to employ 50 individuals, marking a significant expansion in its workforce.

LEGO bricks, invented by Ole Kirk Kristiansen, became commercially available in 1949, marking the beginning of their journey to becoming one of the most beloved and best-selling toys worldwide.

In 1950, Ole Kirk Christiansen steps down from the LEGO Group, and his son, Godtfred Kirk Christiansen, assumes leadership.

In 1951, the first film featuring Lego was captured by photographer Christian Lund. The black and white silent film marked an early documentation of Lego's history.

In 1953, Godtfred Kirk Christiansen devised a 'system of play' that revolutionized the creation of Lego sets, setting the stage for the diverse range of Lego products.

In 1954, LEGO introduced its first windows and doors, enhancing the creative possibilities for builders and solidifying its position as a leading toy manufacturer.

In 1955, Lego released its first building 'system' called the Town Plan along with 27 other sets, marking a significant milestone in the company's history.

In 1956, a sales company for Lego was established in Hohenwestedt, Germany, marking a significant step in the expansion of the Lego brand.

On January 28, 1958, LEGO patented the brick design that is still used today. This design has remained unchanged and is a key element in the success and popularity of LEGO sets.

In 1959, Lego establishes the 'Futura' division with a small staff dedicated to developing ideas for new sets.

In February 1960, a warehouse fire destroys a large portion of Lego's inventory of wooden toys, leading to the discontinuation of wooden toy production and a shift towards plastic building bricks.

In 1961, the LEGO wheel was invented, marking an important step in integrating movement into the LEGO System in Play.

Lego starts selling toys in various countries including Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Morocco, and Japan, expanding its market internationally.

Lego establishes a presence in Italy by setting up Lego Italy, further expanding its operations and reach in Europe.

In 1964, the first Lego sets that included instruction manuals were launched, providing detailed guidance on building various models with Lego bricks.

In 1965, Samsonite started manufacturing Lego bricks in North America through a licensing agreement, expanding the reach of Lego products in the region.

In 1966, Lego introduced one of its most successful series, the Lego train system. The initial train sets included a 4.5-volt motor and rails, marking a significant milestone in the company's history.

In 1967, Lego introduced its first hinges, adding a new element to their building sets. This innovation expanded the creative possibilities for Lego enthusiasts.

On June 7, the Legoland Park in Billund is opened, with 3,000 people visiting on the opening day.

By 1970, LEGO had 1,000 employees, showcasing its growth in toy production and global reach.

Lego introduces furniture pieces and dollhouses for girls.

In 1972, Lego introduced boat and ship sets with hull pieces that were designed to float, expanding their range of creative building options.

The red Lego logo introduced in 1973 is updated to a graphically tightened version after being used for the past 25 years.

In 1974, Lego figures were introduced, starting with the Lego family.

The Expert Series sets were introduced by Lego in 1975.

In 1977, the Lego Technic series, previously known as Expert Builder, was launched.

The Lego Space minifigure was introduced in 1978 and is considered one of the most distinctive Lego pieces.

In 1979, Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen, the son of Godtfred Kirk Christiansen, takes over as the president and CEO of the LEGO Group, marking a new era of leadership within the company.

In 1980, the Lego Group established the Educational Products Department to enhance the educational value of their toys. This initiative aimed to leverage Lego bricks' potential for fostering creativity and problem-solving skills in children.

In 1981, the second generation of Lego trains was produced, offering a wider range of accessories for enthusiasts and collectors.

On August 13, 1982, The Lego Group commemorated its 50th anniversary, highlighting its enduring legacy and impact on the toy industry.

By 1983, the Lego company had grown significantly to employ 3,700 individuals globally, showcasing its rapid expansion and success in the toy industry.

LEGO collaborated with the Media Lab at MIT in 1984 to work on programmable bricks, laying the foundation for innovative projects in the future.

Danish Foreign Minister, Uffe Ellemann-Jensen, inaugurated the LEGO Centre at Birkenhead Point in Sydney, Australia in 1985, marking the first permanent LEGO shop outside Billund.

Following Godtfred Kirk Christiansen's resignation, Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen assumed the role of chairman at Lego System A/S and Lego Overseas.

New sub-lines including Forestman, Crusaders, and Black Knights were added to the Lego Castle theme in 1987.

In August 1988, the first Lego World Cup building contest took place in Billund, with 38 children from 17 countries participating, showcasing the global appeal of Lego.

In 1989, Seymour Papert from MIT assumed the role of LEGO Professor of Learning Research. Additionally, LEGO Pirates were also launched during the same year.

In 1990, Lego released the Model Team series designed for advanced builders, featuring detailed and realistic sets like race cars and off-road vehicles, setting a new standard for visual accuracy in Lego models.

The 9V Trains motors are upgraded to 9V to align the system with the rest of the Lego range.

In 1992, Lego sets achieved two Guinness World Records for their impressive creations.

In 1993, the first Lego Imagination Center was opened in Mall of America, located in Bloomington, Minnesota, United States. The center was owned by the Triple Five Group.

In 1994, the LEGO Group delights young motoring fans with the release of LEGO TECHNIC Supercar, along with the introduction of LEGO BELVILLE, a product line that incorporates family themes and later expands to include princesses, fairies, and butterflies.

Lego Primo series, a new line of Lego products aimed at toddlers and young children, is launched.

Legoland Windsor was opened to the public on March 17, 1996, marking a significant milestone in LEGO's history with a large number of visitors during its inaugural season.

In 1997, approximately 4.8 million pieces of LEGO were lost at sea, and some of these pieces are still being found washed up on shores to this day.

In 1998, the partnership between LEGO Group and MIT resulted in the creation of LEGO MINDSTORMS, a revolutionary product that allows users to build and program intelligent LEGO models, combining technology and creativity.

In 1999, Lego produces the first licensed theme in collaboration with Lucasfilm - Star Wars, marking a significant milestone in Lego's product offerings.

LEGO bricks were named Toy of the Century in 2000, winning the title twice and surpassing iconic toys like teddy bears and Barbie. This recognition solidified LEGO's status as a beloved and influential toy.

BIONICLE is introduced as a unique combination of storytelling, construction toys, and action figures.

In 2003, Lego Group faced a significant financial setback as they reported a record loss for the fiscal year.

In 2004, Jorgen Vig Knudstorp, the CEO of Lego, implemented a restructuring plan by selling off non-essential parts of the business and reducing the number of Lego components. He also introduced the concept of 'Moments of Truth' for Lego products.

The LEGO Group partners with Lucasfilm Ltd. to produce a range of LEGO sets inspired by the iconic Star Wars movies, allowing fans to build and play with their favorite characters and scenes.

Lisbeth Valther Pallesen makes history by becoming the first woman appointed to Lego's executive management team.

Thomas Kirk Kristiansen, son of Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen, began his journey at the LEGO Group in 2007 and gradually rose to Deputy Chairman by 2016. His leadership was further recognized when he became Chairman of the Board in 2020, solidifying his role in steering the iconic toy brand.

On January 28, 2008, Lego commemorated the 50th anniversary of the patent for its iconic interlocking blocks, marking a significant milestone in the company's history.

In 2009, Lego launched the Mindstorms NXT 2.0, an updated version of its robotics platform that allows users to build and program their own robotic creations.

LEGO selects Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, to be part of its Architecture series, which showcases iconic architectural landmarks. The building, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and completed in 2010, stands at 828 meters in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

In 2011, Lego introduced the first and second series of Lego Minifigures, which became popular collectibles among Lego enthusiasts.

The Lego Group commemorates their 80 years of existence.

Lego launched the Mindstorms EV3 in 2013, a robotics kit that allows users to build and program their own robots.

The Lego Movie was released in movie cinemas on February 7, 2014.

In June, participants in Milan, Italy set a new Guinness World Record by building a 35-meter tower made of over half a million colorful LEGO bricks.

Lego Ninjago celebrated its fifth anniversary with a special Halloween episode on TV.

Jorgen Vig Knudstorp resigns as CEO of The Lego Group, and Bali Padda is appointed as the new CEO on 1 January 2017.

The animated film The Lego Ninjago Movie was released in cinemas on September 22, 2017.

Bali Padda steps down as CEO of The Lego Group, and Niels B. Christiansen takes over as the new CEO on 1 October 2017.

In 2018, LEGO announced plans to use a new type of plastic made from sugar cane for greenery in their toys, with a goal to be completely zero waste in production and have all core products made from sustainable materials by 2030.

The LEGO Movie 2 premieres in Los Angeles on February 2, 2019, receiving positive reviews. It is a sequel to the 2014 film The LEGO Movie and part of The LEGO Movie franchise.

The sequel to The Lego Movie, titled The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, was released in cinemas on February 8, 2019.

On 25 November 2019, the Lego Group announced the acquisition of Bricklink, the largest Lego fan community, from Nexon. This move aimed to strengthen Lego's community engagement.

The history of Billund, Denmark's LEGO Group, including LEGO Bricks, LEGOLANDs, MINDSTORMS, minifigures, and more.

The history of LEGO, the iconic toy, is a fascinating story that dates back to its creation in 1932. The toy has evolved over the years to become a beloved and timeless classic, captivating generations of children and adults alike.

The LEGO Group announced plans to build a new, carbon-neutral factory in Chesterfield County, Virginia, starting in the fall of 2022. The facility aims to reduce energy consumption and promote the use of renewable resources.

LEGO aims to achieve zero waste packaging by 2025, responding to consumer requests, including children, for more environmentally friendly practices.

The LEGO Group plans to make all core LEGO products from sustainable materials by 2030 without compromising on quality or safety, a challenging but crucial goal for the company.