Array ( [0] => {{short description|Plastic construction toy}} [1] => {{About|the construction toy|the company|The Lego Group|the Italian newspaper|Leggo|other uses}} [2] => {{pp-move}} [3] => {{pp|reason=Persistent [[WP:Disruptive editing|disruptive editing]]|small=yes}} [4] => {{Use British English|date=October 2018}} [5] => {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}} [6] => {{Infobox toy [7] => | name = Lego [8] => | image = LEGO logo.svg [9] => | image_size = 200px [10] => | caption = Logo used since 1998 [11] => | type = [[Construction set]] [12] => | inventor = [[Ole Kirk Christiansen]] [13] => | country = [[Denmark]] [14] => | company = [[The Lego Group]] [15] => | from = 1949 [16] => | to = present [17] => | website = https://www.lego.com/ [18] => | materials = [[Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene]] [19] => }} [20] => '''Lego''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|l|ɛ|ɡ|oʊ|audio=en-us-Lego.oga}} {{respell|LEG|oh}}, {{IPA-da|ˈle̝ːko|lang}};{{cite book|last1=Brink|first1=Lars|last2=Lund|first2=Jørn|last3=Heger|first3=Steffen|last4=Jørgensen|first4=J. Normann|year=1991|title=Den Store Danske Udtaleordbog|publisher=Munksgaard|location=Copenhagen|page=845|isbn=87-16-06649-9}} stylized as '''LEGO''') is a line of plastic [[Construction set|construction toys]] manufactured by [[the Lego Group]], a privately held company based in [[Billund, Denmark|Billund]], [[Denmark]]. Lego consists of variously coloured [[Interchangeable parts|interlocking]] plastic bricks made of [[acrylonitrile butadiene styrene|acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)]] that accompany an array of [[gear]]s, figurines called [[Lego minifigure|minifigures]], and various other parts. Its pieces can be assembled and connected in many ways to construct objects, including vehicles, buildings, and working robots. Assembled Lego models can be taken apart, and their pieces can be reused to create new constructions.{{cite web|title=Lego History-About Us|url=http://www.lego.com/en-us/aboutus/lego-group/the_lego_history|website=Lego|access-date=6 September 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905173143/http://www.lego.com/en-us/aboutus/lego-group/the_lego_history|archive-date=5 September 2015}}{{cite web|title=How a Lego Works|url=http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/lego.htm&ved=0CDgQFjAJahUKEwiu2PPDsOPHAhXFthoKHf_OBxA&usg=AFQjCNGx38bu4F1dnuEFjSeWcq0LCXXrew|website=How Stuff Works|date = 28 June 2006|access-date=6 September 2015|archive-date=10 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110131059/https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/lego.htm|url-status=live}} [21] => [22] => The Lego Group began manufacturing the interlocking toy bricks in 1949. Moulding is done in Denmark, Hungary, Mexico, and China. Brick decorations and packaging are done at plants in the former three countries and in the Czech Republic. Annual production of the bricks averages approximately 36 billion, or about 1140 elements per second. One of Europe's biggest companies, Lego is the largest toy manufacturer in the world by sales.{{cite news |title=Lego Builds on Its Position as World's No. 1 Toy Maker |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/lego-builds-on-its-position-as-worlds-no-1-toy-maker-11632843755 |date=28 September 2021|access-date=16 October 2023 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]}}{{cite news |title=Lego: the brick behemoth that wants to be as big as Disney |url=https://www.ft.com/content/4e212970-273d-44b7-a004-10b0dd550d1c |access-date=16 October 2023 |work=Financial Times|quote=Such innovations have propelled the family-owned toymaker to become one of Europe’s biggest corporate success stories.. Lego, with essentially just one product in endless iterations, has become by far the biggest toymaker in the world by sales, and on a different level altogether in terms of profits.}} {{As of|2015|July}}, 600 billion Lego parts had been produced.{{cite news |title=The message is the medium |url=https://ipo.blog.gov.uk/2016/12/13/the-message-is-the-medium/ |access-date=20 August 2022 |website=Intellectual Property Office blog. Gov.uk |archive-date=20 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820002138/https://ipo.blog.gov.uk/2016/12/13/the-message-is-the-medium/ |url-status=live }} [[List of Lego films and TV series|Films]], [[List of Lego video games|games]] competitions, and eight [[Legoland]] [[amusement park]]s have been developed under the brand. [23] => [24] => == History == [25] => {{Main|History of Lego|Lego timeline}} [26] => [[File:Bri-Plax Interlocking Building Cubes - Hilary Fisher Page 1939.jpg|thumb|Hilary Fisher Page's ''Interlocking Building Cubes'' by [[Kiddicraft]], 1939]] [27] => [28] => The Lego Group began in the workshop of [[Ole Kirk Christiansen]] (1891–1958), a carpenter from [[Billund, Denmark|Billund]], Denmark, who began making wooden toys in 1932.{{Harvard citation no brackets|Wiencek|1987|p=16}}{{harvnb|Lipkowitz|2012}} In 1934, his company came to be called "Lego", derived from the [[Danish language|Danish]] phrase {{lang|da|leg godt}} {{IPA-da|lɑjˀ ˈkʌt|}},{{Cite web|title=leg — Den Danske Ordbog|url=https://ordnet.dk/ddo/ordbog?query=leg|access-date=20 May 2021|website=ordnet.dk|archive-date=14 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201014174213/https://ordnet.dk/ddo/ordbog?query=leg|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=godt — Den Danske Ordbog|url=https://ordnet.dk/ddo/ordbog?query=godt|access-date=20 May 2021|website=ordnet.dk|archive-date=18 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118154335/https://ordnet.dk/ddo/ordbog?query=godt|url-status=live}} which means "play well".{{cite web |title=The Lego Group History |url=https://www.lego.com/en-us/aboutus/lego-group/the-lego-group-history/ |website=lego.com |access-date=13 May 2020 |archive-date=19 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519092137/https://www.lego.com/en-us/aboutus/lego-group/the-lego-group-history/ |url-status=live }} In 1947, Lego expanded to begin producing plastic toys.{{Harvard citation no brackets|Wiencek|1987|pp=45–46}} In 1949 the business began producing, among other new products, an early version of the now familiar interlocking bricks, calling them "Automatic Binding Bricks". These bricks were based on the [[Kiddicraft]] Self-Locking Bricks, invented by [[Hilary Page]] in 1939 and patented in the United Kingdom in 1940{{cite web|url=http://v3.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?CC=GB&NR=529580&KC=&FT=E|title=Improvements in toy building blocks, patent GB529580 of 25 November 1940 by Harry Fisher Page of Kiddicraft|publisher=espacenet.com|date=17 July 2010|access-date=17 July 2010}} before being displayed at the 1947 [[Earls Court Exhibition Centre|Earl's Court]] Toy Fair.Page‘s twin daughters play with a set of Kiddicraft K 263 Building Blocks {{cite web |title=Twins and Skyscrapers |url=http://brickfetish.com/kiddicraft/twins_1947.html |website=brickfetish.com |accessdate=24 November 2023}} Lego had received a sample of the Kiddicraft bricks from the supplier of an [[Injection moulding|injection-molding]] machine that it purchased.{{Cite news |last=Glancey |first=Jonathan |date=28 July 2008 |title=Lego: a toy of gentle genius |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2008/jul/28/children.design |access-date=29 June 2023 |issn=0261-3077}}{{cite book |last=Andersen |first=Jens |year=2021 |title=The LEGO Story |publisher=Mariner Books |page=79 |isbn=978-0-06-325802-0 |quote=A Mr. Printz, the managing director of Hoffmann & Co., and the person who sold Ole Kirk the Windsor machine, came to visit Billund. He'd just returned from England, bringing with him a box filled with small, bricklike plastic blocks in various colors, which he'd seen at the British Industries Fair in London. Perhaps, he suggested, LEGO could make something similar once the Windsor molding machine arrived in Denmark and was set up in Billund. Ole Kirk was spellbound by the English bricks, which were hollow and featured studs on the top.}}{{cite book |last=Andersen |first=Jens |year=2021 |title=The LEGO Story |publisher=Mariner Books |page=83 |isbn=978-0-06-325802-0 |quote=The origin of LEGO's very first plastic bricks isn't in dispute. Godtfred explained on several occasions that they were inspired by the English firm Kiddicraft, founded by Hilary Fisher Page in the 1930s.}}{{cite book |last=Andersen |first=Jens |year=2021 |title=The LEGO Story |publisher=Mariner Books |pages=241–242 |isbn=978-0-06-325802-0 |quote=The case was also heard in Hong Kong in 1986, and that was the first time Godtfred told the detailed story of LEGO's development of Hilary F. Page's "Self-Locking Building Bricks" under oath, admitting that they'd copied the English bricks "very carefully," as was noted in the court transcript. It was a difficult moment for Godtfred. While in strictly legal terms he'd never acted illegally in relation to Page and Kiddicraft, he'd nonetheless always felt twinges of guilt.}} The bricks, originally manufactured from [[cellulose acetate]],{{Harvard citation no brackets|Pickering|1999|p=15}} were a development of the traditional stackable wooden blocks of the time. [29] => [30] => [[File:Lego in 1957.jpg|thumb|left|Boy from the UK playing with Lego in 1957. First sold in Denmark, the company expanded its sales across Europe in the 1950s, before expanding outside the continent from the 1960s.]] [31] => [[File:The factory at Højmarksvej, Billund 1973.jpg|thumb|left|The home factory at Højmarksvej, Billund, Denmark (pictured in 1973)]] [32] => The Lego Group's [[motto]], "only the best is good enough"{{Cite web|title=How we keep your data safe – Customer Service – LEGO.com MY|url=https://www.lego.com/en-my/service/data/|access-date=25 September 2020|website=www.lego.com|archive-date=22 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922184209/https://www.lego.com/en-my/service/data/|url-status=live}} ({{Lang-da|det bedste er ikke for godt}}, literally "the best isn't excessively good") was created in 1936. Christiansen created the motto, still used today, to encourage his employees never to skimp on quality, a value he believed in strongly. By 1951, plastic toys accounted for half of the company's output, even though the Danish trade magazine ''Legetøjs-Tidende'' ("Toy Times"), visiting the Lego factory in Billund in the early 1950s, wrote that plastic would never be able to replace traditional wooden toys.{{Harvard citation no brackets|Wiencek|1987|pp=46–52}} Although a common sentiment, Lego toys seem to have become a significant exception to the dislike of plastic in children's toys, due in part to the high standards set by Ole Kirk.Lauwaert, M. (2008). "Playing outside the box – on LEGO toys and the changing world of construction play". ''History & Technology'', 24(3), 221–237. [33] => [34] => By 1954, Christiansen's son, [[Godtfred Kirk Christiansen|Godtfred]], had become the junior [[Chief executive officer|managing director]] of the Lego Group. It was his conversation with an overseas buyer that led to the idea of a toy system. Godtfred saw the immense potential in Lego bricks to become a system for creative play, but the bricks still had some problems from a technical standpoint: Their locking ability was still limited, and they were not yet versatile. In 1958, the modern brick design was developed; ABS subsequently replaced cellulose acetate as the manufacturing material five years later.{{Harvard citation no brackets|Wiencek|1987|pp=68–72}}{{cite book|last= Lipkowitz|first=Daniel|date=2009|title=The LEGO Book - Volume 1|edition=1st|location=London|publisher=Dorling Kindersley|page=21|isbn=9781405341691}} A patent application for the modern Lego brick design was filed in Denmark on 28 January 1958 and in various other countries in the subsequent few years.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1707379,00.html|title=Lego Celebrates 50 Years of Building|magazine=[[TIME]]|date=28 January 2008|access-date=28 January 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080131130615/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1707379,00.html|archive-date=31 January 2008}}{{cite web |url=https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2018/01/60-years-of-lego-building-blocks-and-danish-patent-law/ |date=29 January 2018 |first=Jenny |last=Gesley |title=60 Years of Lego Building Blocks and Danish Patent Law |publisher=[[Library of Congress]] |access-date=28 January 2021 |archive-date=28 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128162810/https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2018/01/60-years-of-lego-building-blocks-and-danish-patent-law/ |url-status=live }} [35] => [36] => [[File:Lego Color Bricks.jpg|thumb|Lego bricks]] [37] => [[File:2 duplo lego bricks.jpg|thumb|Two Lego Duplo bricks with a standard brick for comparison]] [38] => The Lego Group's [[Lego Duplo|Duplo]] product line was introduced in 1969 and is a range of blocks whose lengths measure twice the width, height, and depth of standard Lego blocks and are aimed towards younger children.{{cite web|title=About Duplo|url=http://www.lego.com/en-us/duplo/about/baby-in-bloom|website=Lego|access-date=6 September 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906083454/http://www.lego.com/en-us/duplo/about/baby-in-bloom|archive-date=6 September 2015}} In 1978, Lego produced the first minifigures, which have since become a staple in most sets.{{cite web|title=The history of the Lego minifigure|url=http://www.toys2remember.com/2010/11/lego-minifigure-history.html|website=Toys to Remember|access-date=6 September 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906053416/http://www.toys2remember.com/2010/11/lego-minifigure-history.html|archive-date=6 September 2015}} [39] => [40] => In May 2011, [[Space Shuttle Endeavour]] mission [[STS-134]] brought 13 Lego kits to the [[International Space Station]], where astronauts built models to see how they would react in [[microgravity]], as a part of the Lego Bricks in Space program.{{cite news|url=http://archive.wired.com/geekdad/2011/04/space-shuttle-endeavor-launches-tomorrow-with-a-special-payload/|title=Space Shuttle Endeavour Launches Tomorrow With a Special Payload|last=Banks|first=Dave|date=28 April 2011|work=[[Wired News]]|access-date=2 May 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726103430/http://archive.wired.com/geekdad/2011/04/space-shuttle-endeavor-launches-tomorrow-with-a-special-payload/|archive-date=26 July 2014}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.fastcompany.com/1750642/space-shuttle-endeavour-the-spare-parts-spaceship|title=Space Shuttle Endeavour: Made Of Spare Parts|last=Eaton|first=Kit|date=29 April 2011|magazine=Fast Company|access-date=2 May 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110503012602/http://www.fastcompany.com/1750642/space-shuttle-endeavour-the-spare-parts-spaceship|archive-date=3 May 2011}} In May 2013, the largest model ever created, made of over 5 million bricks, was displayed in New York City; a one-to-one scale model of a ''[[Star Wars]]'' [[X-wing fighter]].{{cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/this-incredible-full-scale-lego-x-wing-is-the-largest-m-509484787|title=This Incredible Full Scale Lego X-Wing Is the Largest Model in History|date=23 May 2013|access-date=24 May 2013|first=Jesus|last=Diaz|website=[[Gizmodo]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603033254/http://gizmodo.com/this-incredible-full-scale-lego-x-wing-is-the-largest-m-509484787|archive-date=3 June 2013}} Other record breakers include a {{convert|34|m|adj=on||abbr=}} towerLee, Kevin. "[http://inhabitat.com/delaware-high-school-students-complete-worlds-tallest-lego-tower/ Delaware High School Students Complete World's Tallest LEGO Tower] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130822201613/http://inhabitat.com/delaware-high-school-students-complete-worlds-tallest-lego-tower/ |date=22 August 2013 }}" ''[[Inhabitat]]'', 24 August 2013. Accessed: 29 March 2014. and a {{convert|4|km|mi|abbr=on|adj=on}} railway.Lofgren, Kristine. "[http://inhabitat.com/the-worlds-longest-lego-railway-is-awarded-the-guinness-world-record/ The World's Longest LEGO Railway Stretches Nearly 2.5 Miles Long] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330004934/http://inhabitat.com/the-worlds-longest-lego-railway-is-awarded-the-guinness-world-record/ |date=30 March 2014 }}" ''[[Inhabitat]]'', 19 May 2013. Accessed: 29 March 2014."[http://www.worldrecordacademy.com/biggest/longest_Lego_Railway_Denmark_smash_Guinness_world_record_213394.html Longest Lego Railway] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130810213423/http://www.worldrecordacademy.com/biggest/longest_Lego_Railway_Denmark_smash_Guinness_world_record_213394.html |date=10 August 2013 }}", 16 July 2013. Accessed: 29 March 2014. [41] => [42] => In February 2015, marketing consulting company Brand Finance ranked Lego as the "world's most powerful brand", overtaking [[Ferrari]].{{Citation|last=Dill|first=Kathryn|date=19 February 2015|title=Lego Tops Global Ranking of the Most Powerful Brands in 2015|work=[[Forbes]]|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kathryndill/2015/02/19/lego-tops-global-ranking-of-the-most-powerful-brands-in-2015/|access-date=20 February 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220084454/http://www.forbes.com/sites/kathryndill/2015/02/19/lego-tops-global-ranking-of-the-most-powerful-brands-in-2015/|archive-date=20 February 2015}}{{Cite web|date=17 February 2015|title=Lego Overtakes Ferrari as the World's Most Powerful Brand|publisher=Brand Finance|url=http://brandfinance.com/press-releases/lego-overtakes-ferrari-as-the-worlds-most-powerful-brand/|access-date=20 February 2015|archive-date=13 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151213094125/http://brandfinance.com/press-releases/lego-overtakes-ferrari-as-the-worlds-most-powerful-brand/|url-status=live}} [43] => [44] => While Lego has generally been considered a children's toy, there have also been adult fans of the toys. In 2020, Lego introduced sets aged at 18+, generally some of their more expensive and difficult-to-assemble sets based on real world or fictional objects, such as the [[Concorde]] or [[Rivendell]]. The timing of these sets favorably aligned with the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], with many adults purchasing these sets to work on during various lockdown periods. Popularity within adults was further pushed by the release of ''[[The Lego Movie]]'' and the reality series ''[[Lego Masters]]''. By 2024, nearly 15% of the sets released in the U.S. were aimed for adult builders.{{cite web | url = https://www.wsj.com/business/retail/850-millennium-falcons-and-680-titanics-grown-ups-are-now-a-gold-mine-for-lego-73f265cf?mod=hp_lista_pos2 |title = $850 Millennium Falcons and $680 Titanics: Grown-Ups Are Now a Gold Mine for Lego | first = Trevor | last= Moss |date = April 13, 2024 | accessdate = April 13, 2024 | work = [[Wall Street Journal]] }} [45] => [46] => Lego bricks have acquired a reputation for causing extreme pain when stepped on.{{cite web | url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/why-walking-legos-hurts-more-walking-fire-or-ice-180970784/ | title=Why Walking on Legos Hurts More Than Walking on Fire or Ice }} [47] => [48] => == Design == [49] => Lego pieces of all varieties constitute a universal system. Despite variations in the design and the purposes of individual pieces over the years, each remains compatible in some way with existing pieces. Lego bricks from 1958 still interlock with those made presently, and Lego sets for young children are compatible with those made for teenagers. Six bricks of 2 × 4 studs{{cite web|url=http://thebrickblogger.com/2010/11/lego-disctionary-basic-term/|title=Learn to speak LEGO! – BASIC TERMS|access-date=10 June 2018|archive-date=12 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143621/http://thebrickblogger.com/2010/11/lego-disctionary-basic-term/|url-status=live}}, ''[http://thebrickblogger.com/ The Brick Blogger] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180611043616/http://thebrickblogger.com/ |date=11 June 2018 }}''. can be combined in 915,103,765 ways.{{cite web|last=Roshanzamir|first=Ali|url=http://www.science.ku.dk/presse/nyhedsarkiv/2013/leger-med-lego-klodser/|title=Matematik-professoren leger med lego-klodser|publisher=[[University of Copenhagen Faculty of Science]]|date=10 December 2013|access-date=29 March 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402194839/http://www.science.ku.dk/presse/nyhedsarkiv/2013/leger-med-lego-klodser/|archive-date=2 April 2015}} [50] => [51] => Each piece must be manufactured to an exacting degree of precision. When two pieces are engaged, they must fit firmly, yet be easily disassembled. The machines that manufacture Lego bricks have tolerances as small as 10 [[micrometre]]s.{{cite web|url=http://cache.lego.com/upload/contentTemplating/AboutUsFactsAndFiguresContent/otherfiles/download98E142631E71927FDD52304C1C0F1685.pdf|title=Company Profile, page 20|date=2010|publisher=The Lego Group|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121209100137/http://cache.lego.com/upload/contentTemplating/AboutUsFactsAndFiguresContent/otherfiles/download98E142631E71927FDD52304C1C0F1685.pdf|archive-date=9 December 2012}} [52] => [53] => [[File:Lego dimensions.svg|thumb|Dimensions of some standard Lego bricks and plates{{cite web|url=http://orionrobots.co.uk/Lego+Specifications|title=Lego Specifications|publisher=Orionrobots.co.uk|date=26 February 2011|access-date=3 October 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823204619/http://orionrobots.co.uk/Lego+Specifications|archive-date=23 August 2011}}{{cite web|author=Dimensions Guide|url=http://www.dimensionsguide.com/dimensions-of-a-standard-lego-brick|title=Dimensions of a Standard Lego Brick|publisher=Dimensionsguide.com|date=13 December 2010|access-date=3 October 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110905102846/http://www.dimensionsguide.com/dimensions-of-a-standard-lego-brick/|archive-date=5 September 2011}}]] [54] => Primary concept and development work for the toy takes place at the Billund headquarters, where the company employs approximately 120 designers. The company also has smaller design offices in the [[United Kingdom|UK]], [[Spain]], [[Germany]], and [[Japan]] which are tasked with developing products aimed specifically at their respective national markets. The average development period for a new product is around twelve months, split into three stages. The first is to identify market trends and developments, including contact by the designers directly with the market; some are stationed in toy shops close to holidays, while others interview children. The second stage is the design and development of the product based on the results of the first stage. {{As of|2008|September}} the design teams use [[3D modeling|3D modelling]] software to generate [[Computer-aided design|CAD]] drawings from initial design sketches. The designs are then [[prototype]]d using an in-house [[stereolithography]] machine. These prototypes are presented to the entire project team for comment and testing by parents and children during the "validation" process. Designs may then be altered in accordance with the results from the [[Focus group|focus groups]]. [[Virtual model]]s of completed Lego products are built concurrently with the writing of the user instructions. Completed CAD models are also used in the wider organisation for marketing and packaging.{{Cite journal|title=Child's Play|first=Frances |last=Corbet|journal=Develop 3D|publisher=X3DMedia|pages=25–27|date=September 2008}} [55] => [56] => [[Lego Digital Designer]] is an official piece of Lego software for [[MacOS|Mac OS X]] and [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] which allows users to create their own digital Lego designs.{{cite web|url=http://ldd.lego.com/|title=LEGO Digital Designer|publisher=LEGO|date=n.d.|access-date=29 March 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403211318/http://ldd.lego.com/|archive-date=3 April 2013}} The program once allowed customers to order custom designs{{cite web|url=https://www.buildwithchrome.com/|title=Build with Chrome|date=n.d.|access-date=29 March 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329025051/https://www.buildwithchrome.com/|archive-date=29 March 2014}} with a [[Lego Design byME|service to ship physical models]] from Digital Designer to consumers; the service ended in 2012.{{cite web|url=http://ldd.lego.com/da-dk/subpages/designbyme|title=What happened to DESIGN byME?|publisher=LEGO|date=n.d.|access-date=29 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120124160022/http://ldd.lego.com/subpages/designbyme/|archive-date=24 January 2012|url-status=live}} [57] => [58] => == Manufacturing == [59] => [[File:Kladno CZ LEGO factory from NE 007.jpg|thumb|right|The Lego factory in [[Kladno]], Czech Republic in 2008]] [60] => [[File:Arburg Lego.png|thumb|right|Lego [[injection moulding]] machines, made by the German company [[Arburg]]]] [61] => [62] => Since 1963, Lego pieces have been manufactured from ABS plastic. {{As of|2008|September}}, Lego engineers use the [[Siemens NX|NX]] [[Computer-aided design|CAD]]/[[Computer-aided manufacturing|CAM]]/[[Computer-aided engineering|CAE]] [[Product lifecycle|PLM]] software suite to model the elements. The software allows the parts to be optimised by way of mould flow and [[Stress–strain analysis|stress analysis]]. Prototype moulds are sometimes built before the design is committed to mass production. The ABS plastic is heated to {{convert|232|C|0|abbr=on}} until it reaches a [[dough]]-like consistency. It is then injected into the moulds using forces of between 25 and 150 tonnes and takes approximately 15 seconds to cool. The moulds are permitted a tolerance of up to twenty [[micrometre]]s to ensure the bricks remain connected. Human inspectors check the output of the moulds to eliminate significant variations in colour or thickness. According to the Lego Group, about eighteen bricks out of every million fail to meet the standard required.{{cite web|url=http://cache.lego.com/upload/contentTemplating/AboutUsFactsAndFiguresContent/otherfiles/download98E142631E71927FDD52304C1C0F1685.pdf|title=Company Profile An Introduction to the LEGO Group 2010|year=2011|publisher=The Lego Group|page=8|access-date=21 May 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121209100137/http://cache.lego.com/upload/contentTemplating/AboutUsFactsAndFiguresContent/otherfiles/download98E142631E71927FDD52304C1C0F1685.pdf|archive-date=9 December 2012}} [63] => [64] => Lego factories recycle all but about 1 percent of their [[plastic pollution|plastic waste]] from the manufacturing process. If the plastic cannot be re-used in Lego bricks, it is processed and sold on to industries that can make use of it.{{cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/5019797/everything-you-always-wanted-to-know-about-lego|title=Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Lego|publisher=Gizmodo.com|date=26 June 2008|access-date=29 May 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100419044733/http://gizmodo.com/5019797/everything-you-always-wanted-to-know-about-lego|archive-date=19 April 2010}}{{cite web|publisher=[[HowStuffWorks.com]]|url=http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/lego.htm|title=How Lego Bricks Work|date=28 June 2006 |access-date=13 May 2007|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070515075314/http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/lego.htm|archive-date=15 May 2007}} Lego, in 2018, set a self-imposed 2030 deadline to find a more eco-friendly alternative to the ABS plastic.{{cite news |last1=Reed |first1=Stanley |title=Lego Wants to Completely Remake Its Toy Bricks (Without Anyone Noticing) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/31/business/energy-environment/lego-plastic-denmark-environment-toys.html |access-date=31 August 2018 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=31 August 2018 |archive-date=31 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831144524/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/31/business/energy-environment/lego-plastic-denmark-environment-toys.html |url-status=live }} [65] => [66] => Manufacturing of Lego bricks occurs at several locations around the world. Moulding is done in [[Billund, Denmark|Billund]], Denmark; [[Nyíregyháza]], Hungary; [[Monterrey]], Mexico; and most recently in [[Jiaxing]], China. Brick decorations and packaging are done at plants in the former three countries and in [[Kladno]] in the [[Czech Republic]]. The Lego Group estimates that in five decades it has produced 400 billion Lego blocks.{{Cite magazine |url=https://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1707379,00.html |title=Lego Celebrates 50 Years of Building |date=28 January 2008 |access-date=5 March 2022 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |last=Cendrowicz |first=Leo |quote=Since then, the company has made a staggering 400 billion Lego elements, or 62 bricks for every person on the planet. |archive-date=5 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305235356/https://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1707379,00.html |url-status=live }} Annual production of the bricks averages approximately 36 billion, or about 1140 elements per second. According to an article in ''[[Bloomberg Businessweek|BusinessWeek]]'' in 2006, Lego could also be considered the world's number-one tyre manufacturer; the factory produces about 306 million small rubber tyres a year.{{cite web|url=http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/nov2006/db20061127_153826.htm|title=The Making of ... a LEGO|work=Bloomberg BusinessWeek|date=29 November 2006|access-date=28 July 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100809072756/http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/nov2006/db20061127_153826.htm|archive-date=9 August 2010}} The claim was reiterated in 2012.{{cite web|title=World Record|url=http://aboutus.lego.com/en-gb/news-room/2012/june/guiness-world-record-to-the-lego-group/|website=Lego|access-date=6 September 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104224244/http://aboutus.lego.com/en-gb/news-room/2012/june/guiness-world-record-to-the-lego-group|archive-date=4 November 2014}} [67] => [68] => In December 2012, the [[BBC]]'s ''[[More or Less (radio programme)|More or Less]]'' radio program asked the [[Open University]]'s engineering department to determine "how many Lego bricks, stacked one on top of the other, it would take for the weight to destroy the bottom brick?"{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20578627|date=3 December 2012|title=How tall can a Lego tower get?|first=Ruth|last=Alexander|work=[[BBC News]]|access-date=4 December 2012|quote=The average maximum force the bricks can stand is 4,240[[Newton (unit)|N]]. That's equivalent to a mass of 432 kg (950lbs). If you divide that by the mass of a single brick, which is 1.152g, then you get the grand total of bricks a single piece of Lego could support: 375,000. So, 375,000 bricks towering 3.5 kilometers (2.17 miles) high is what it would take to break a Lego brick.|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121204074934/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20578627|archive-date=4 December 2012}} Using a [[Hydraulic machinery|hydraulic]] testing machine, members of the department determined the average maximum force a 2×2 Lego brick can stand is 4,240 [[Newton (unit)|newtons]]. Since an average 2×2 Lego brick has a mass of {{convert|1.152|g}}, according to their calculations it would take a stack of 375,000 bricks to cause the bottom brick to collapse, which represents a stack {{convert|3591|m}} in height. [69] => [70] => Private tests have shown several thousand assembly-disassembly cycles before the bricks begin to [[wear out]],{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/03/lego-bricks-still-last-30000-impressions-during-new-and-improved-test/|title=Lego bricks still last 30,000+ impressions during new and improved test|last1=Mattise|first1=Nathan|date=24 March 2014|website=[[Ars Technica]]|access-date=29 March 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328220139/http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/03/lego-bricks-still-last-30000-impressions-during-new-and-improved-test/|archive-date=28 March 2014}} although Lego tests show fewer cycles.{{cite web|url=http://ing.dk/artikel/robot-test-beviser-det-lego-kan-samles-og-adskilles-over-30000-gange-167360|title=Robot-test beviser det: Lego kan samles og adskilles over 30.000 gange|last1=Godske|first1=Bjørn|date=29 March 2014|website=[[Ingeniøren]]|access-date=29 March 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329220934/http://ing.dk/artikel/robot-test-beviser-det-lego-kan-samles-og-adskilles-over-30000-gange-167360|archive-date=29 March 2014}} [71] => [72] => In 2018, Lego announced that it will be using [[Bioplastic#Bio-derived polyethylene|bio-derived polyethylene]] to make its botanical elements (parts such as leaves, bushes and trees).{{Cite web |url=https://www.lego.com/en-us/aboutus/news-room/2018/march/pfp |title=FIRST SUSTAINABLE LEGO BRICKS WILL BE LAUNCHED IN 2018 |access-date=28 November 2018 |archive-date=28 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128164549/https://www.lego.com/en-us/aboutus/news-room/2018/march/pfp |url-status=live }} [[The New York Times|''The New York Times'']] reported the company's footprint that year was "about a million tons of carbon dioxide each year" and that it was investing about 1 billion kroner and hiring 100 people to work on changes. The paper reported that Lego's researchers "have already experimented with around 200 alternatives."Reed, Stanley, "Leg Hunts New Bricks for a Sustainable Future," ''New York Times,'' 1 September 2018, B1 In 2020, Lego announced that it would cease packaging its products in [[Disposable product|single-use plastic]] bags and would instead be using recyclable paper bags.{{Cite web|last=Nader|first=Brittany|title=What LEGO's Sustainable Packaging Teach Us About Innovation|url=https://www.standuppouches.net/blog/lego-product-packaging-overseas|access-date=16 September 2020|website=www.standuppouches.net|language=en-us|archive-date=24 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024115522/https://www.standuppouches.net/blog/lego-product-packaging-overseas|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|first=Hanna |last=Ziady |title=LEGO to phase out single-use plastic packaging|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/15/business/lego-plastic-packaging/index.html|access-date=16 September 2020|website=CNN|date=15 September 2020 |archive-date=16 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916125501/https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/15/business/lego-plastic-packaging/index.html|url-status=live}} In 2021, the company said it would aim to produce its bricks without using [[crude oil]], by using recycled [[polyethylene terephthalate]] bottles, but in 2023 it reversed this decision, having found that this did not reduce its [[carbon dioxide]] emissions.{{cite web |last1=Noor Nanji |title=Lego axes plan to make bricks from recycled bottles |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-66910573 |publisher=BBC |date=25 September 2023}} [73] => [74] => == Set themes == [75] => {{Further|List of Lego themes}} [76] => [[File:Lego Sets In Store Leicester Square London United Kingdom.jpg|thumb|Lego sets of the Lego City theme]] [77] => Since the 1950s, the Lego Group has released thousands of sets with a variety of themes, including [[Lego Space|space]], [[Lego Pirates|pirates]], [[Lego Trains|trains]], [[Lego Castle|(European) castle]], [[Lego Adventurers#Dino Island|dinosaurs]], [[Lego Aquazone|undersea exploration]], and [[Lego Wild West|wild west]], as well as wholly original themes like ''[[Bionicle]]'' and ''[[Hero Factory]]''. Some of the classic themes that continue to the present day include [[Lego City]] (a line of sets depicting city life introduced in 1973) and [[Lego Technic]] (a line aimed at emulating complex machinery, introduced in 1977).{{sfn|Wiencek|1987|p=54}} [78] => [79] => Over the years, the company has licensed themes from numerous cartoon and [[Film series|film franchise]]s and some from video games. These include ''[[Lego Batman|Batman]]'', ''[[Lego Indiana Jones|Indiana Jones]]'', ''[[Lego Pirates of the Caribbean|Pirates of the Caribbean]]'', ''[[Lego Harry Potter|Harry Potter]]'', ''[[Lego Star Wars|Star Wars]]'', ''[[Marvel Comics|Marvel]]'', and [[Lego Minecraft|''Minecraft'']]. Although some of these themes, Lego Star Wars and Lego Indiana Jones, had highly successful sales, the company expressed in 2015 a desire to rely more upon their own characters and classic themes and less upon such licensed themes.{{cite web|title=Lego Mindstorms and Harry Potter Will Continue.|url=http://www.lego.com/en-GB/aboutus/news-room/2004/january/mindstorms-and-harry-potter-will-continue|website=Lego|access-date=25 August 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150914134304/http://www.lego.com/en-GB/aboutus/news-room/2004/january/mindstorms-and-harry-potter-will-continue|archive-date=14 September 2015}} Some sets include references to other themes such as a Bionicle mask in one of the Harry Potter sets.{{Cite web |last=Yates |first=Jack |date=17 April 2021 |title=Five things you may have missed in the new LEGO Harry Potter sets |url=https://www.brickfanatics.com/five-things-you-may-have-missed-in-the-new-lego-harry-potter-sets/ |access-date=14 March 2022 |language=en-GB |archive-date=11 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811001206/https://www.brickfanatics.com/five-things-you-may-have-missed-in-the-new-lego-harry-potter-sets/ |url-status=live }} Discontinued sets may become a [[collectable]] and command value on the [[secondary market]].{{cite news |title=Lego enthusiast explains why the black market for the toy bricks is so lucrative |url=https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-monday-edition-1.5971290/lego-enthusiast-explains-why-the-black-market-for-the-toy-bricks-is-so-lucrative-1.5974493 |access-date=9 April 2021 |work=[[CBC Radio]] |date=5 April 2021 |archive-date=8 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210408155819/https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-monday-edition-1.5971290/lego-enthusiast-explains-why-the-black-market-for-the-toy-bricks-is-so-lucrative-1.5974493 |url-status=live }} [80] => [81] => For the [[2012 Summer Olympics]] in [[London]], Lego released a special Team GB Minifigures series exclusively in the United Kingdom to mark the opening of the games. For the [[2016 Summer Olympics]] and [[2016 Summer Paralympics]] in [[Rio de Janeiro]], Lego released a kit with the Olympic and Paralympic [[mascot]]s [[Vinicius and Tom]].{{cite web|url=https://www.rio2016.com/en/news/mascots-tom-and-vinicius-debut-lego-look-for-rio-2016|title=Mascots Tom and Vinicius debut Lego look for Rio 2016|work=Rio 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160523050056/https://www.rio2016.com/en/news/mascots-tom-and-vinicius-debut-lego-look-for-rio-2016|archive-date=23 May 2016}} [82] => [83] => One of the largest commercially produced Lego sets was a [[minifigure]]-scaled edition of the ''[[Star Wars]]'' [[Millennium Falcon]]. Designed by Jens Kronvold Fredericksen, it was released in 2007 and contained 5,195 pieces. It was surpassed by a 5,922-piece [[Taj Mahal]]. A redesigned Millennium Falcon retook the top spot in 2017 with 7,541 pieces.{{cite web|url=http://www.brickjournal.com/news/2008/6/7/interview-with-lego-designer|title=Designing General Grievous|date=7 June 2008|publisher=brickjournal.com|access-date=6 September 2008|last=Meno|first=George|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828055745/http://www.brickjournal.com/news/2008/6/7/interview-with-lego-designer|archive-date=28 August 2008|url-status=dead}} Since then, the Millennium Falcon has been superseded by the Lego Art World Map at 11,695 pieces, the Lego [[Titanic]] at 9,090 pieces, and the Lego Architect Colosseum at 9,036 pieces.{{cite web|title=The Top 30 Biggest LEGO Sets Ever|url=https://thecollector.io/features/the-30-biggest-lego-sets-ever|website=The Collector|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107225525/https://thecollector.io/features/the-30-biggest-lego-sets-ever|archive-date=7 November 2021}} [84] => [85] => In 2022, Lego introduced its [[Eiffel Tower]]. The set consists of 10,000 parts and reaches a height of {{cvt|149|cm|-1}}, which makes it the tallest set and tower but the second in number of parts after the World Map.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bosshunting.com.au/entertainment/lego-eiffel-tower/|title=LEGO Is Now Slinging An Insane 1.5-Metre Tall Eiffel Tower Kit|website=www.bosshunting.com.au|date=21 November 2022|access-date=22 November 2022|archive-date=22 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221122081028/https://www.bosshunting.com.au/entertainment/lego-eiffel-tower/|url-status=live}} [86] => [87] => === Robotics themes === [88] => {{Main|Lego Mindstorms|Lego Mindstorms NXT|Lego Mindstorms NXT 2.0|Lego Mindstorms EV3}} [89] => The company also initiated a [[robotics]] line of toys called 'Mindstorms' in 1999, and has continued to expand and update this range ever since. The roots of the product originate from a programmable brick developed at the [[MIT Media Lab]], and the name is taken from a paper by [[Seymour Papert]], a computer scientist and educator who developed the educational theory of [[Constructionism (learning theory)|constructionism]], and whose research was at times funded by the [[Lego Group]].{{cite web|title=Mindstorms History|url=http://www.lego.com/en-us/mindstorms/history|website=Lego|access-date=6 September 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150831053906/http://www.lego.com/en-us/mindstorms/history|archive-date=31 August 2015}} [90] => [91] => The programmable Lego brick which is at the heart of these robotics sets has undergone several updates and redesigns, with the latest being called the 'EV3' brick, being sold under the name of Lego Mindstorms EV3. The set includes sensors that detect touch, light, sound and ultrasonic waves, with several others being sold separately, including an [[Radio-frequency identification|RFID]] reader.{{cite web|title=About EV3|url=http://www.lego.com/en-us/mindstorms/about-ev3|website=Lego|access-date=6 September 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905160032/http://www.lego.com/en-us/mindstorms/about-ev3|archive-date=5 September 2015}} [92] => [93] => The intelligent brick can be programmed using official software available for [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] and [[Mac OS X|Mac]] computers, and is downloaded onto the brick via [[Bluetooth]] or a USB cable. There are also several unofficial programs and compatible programming languages that have been made to work with the brick, and many books have been written to support this community. [94] => [95] => There are several robotics competitions which use the Lego robotics sets. The earliest is [[Botball]], a national U.S. [[middle school|middle]]- and [[high-school]] competition stemming from the MIT 6.270 Lego robotics tournament. Other Lego robotics competitions include FIRST LEGO League Discover for children ages 4–6, [[FIRST Lego League Explore|FIRST LEGO League Explore]] for students ages 6–9 and [[FIRST Lego League Challenge]] for students ages 9–16 (age 9–14 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico). These programs offer real-world engineering challenges to participants. FIRST LEGO League Challenge uses LEGO-based robots to complete tasks, FIRST LEGO League Explore participants build models out of Lego elements, and FIRST LEGO League Discover participants use Duplo. In its 2019–2020 season, there were 38,609 FIRST LEGO League Challenge teams and 21,703 FIRST LEGO League Explore teams around the world. The international [[RoboCup Junior]] [[Association football|football]] competition involves extensive use of [[Lego Mindstorms]] equipment which is often pushed to its extreme limits.{{cite web|url=http://www.usfirst.org|title=USFIRST.org|publisher=USFIRST.org|access-date=3 October 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003051426/http://www.usfirst.org/|archive-date=3 October 2011}} [96] => [97] => The capabilities of the Mindstorms range have now been harnessed for use in Iko Creative Prosthetic System, a prosthetic limbs system designed for children. Designs for these Lego prosthetics allow everything from mechanical diggers to laser-firing spaceships to be screwed on to the end of a child's limb. Iko is the work of the Chicago-based Colombian designer Carlos Arturo Torres, and is a modular system that allows children to customise their own prosthetics with the ease of clicking together plastic bricks. Designed with Lego's Future Lab, the Danish toy company's experimental research department, and Cirec, a Colombian foundation for physical rehabilitation, the modular prosthetic incorporates myoelectric sensors that register the activity of the muscle in the stump and send a signal to control movement in the attachment. A processing unit in the body of the prosthetic contains an engine compatible with Lego Mindstorms, the company's robotics line, which lets the wearer build an extensive range of customised, programmable limbs.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/architecture-design-blog/2015/jul/22/lego-prosthetic-arm-that-kids-can-hack-themselves|title=The Lego prosthetic arm that children can create and hack themselves|first=Oliver|last=Wainwright|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=22 July 2015|access-date=23 July 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723183344/http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/architecture-design-blog/2015/jul/22/lego-prosthetic-arm-that-kids-can-hack-themselves|archive-date=23 July 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://designawards.core77.com/Open-Design/29865/IKO-Creative-Prosthetic-System|title=IKO Creative Prosthetic System|work=[[Core77]]|access-date=23 July 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723184938/http://designawards.core77.com/Open-Design/29865/IKO-Creative-Prosthetic-System|archive-date=23 July 2015}} [98] => [99] => === In popular culture === [100] => {{Main|Lego in popular culture}} [101] => Lego's popularity is demonstrated by its wide representation and usage in many cultural works, including books, films, and art. It has even been used in the classroom as a teaching tool.{{cite web|last=Chan|first=Derek|title=Lego Educational Resource|url=http://legoeducationalresource.blogspot.com|publisher=Blogger|access-date=3 September 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425145005/http://legoeducationalresource.blogspot.com/|archive-date=25 April 2012}} In the US, [[Lego Education]] North America is a joint venture between Pitsco, Inc. and the educational division of the Lego Group.{{cite web|url=http://www.legoeducation.us/|title=Lego Education (see footnote)|access-date=6 September 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140214195222/http://www.legoeducation.us/|archive-date=14 February 2014}} [102] => [103] => In 1998, Lego bricks were one of the original inductees into the [[National Toy Hall of Fame]] at [[The Strong]] in [[Rochester, New York|Rochester]], New York.{{cite web|title=Lego|url=http://www.toyhalloffame.org/toys/lego|website=National Toy Hall of Fame|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925052303/http://www.toyhalloffame.org/toys/lego|archive-date=25 September 2015}} [104] => [105] => "Lego" is commonly used as a mass noun ("some Lego") or, in [[American English]], as a countable noun with plural "Legos", to refer to the bricks themselves,{{cite web |title=Lego |url=https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Lego#Usage_notes |website=Wiktionary |publisher=Wikimedia |access-date=5 February 2023 |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204201651/https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Lego#Usage_notes |url-status=live }} but as is common for [[trademark]]s, Lego group insists on the name being used as an adjective when referring to a product (as in "LEGO bricks").{{cite web |title=Fair Play |url=https://www.lego.com/en-gb/legal/notices-and-policies/fair-play/ |website=LEGO.com |publisher=Lego System A/S |access-date=5 February 2023 |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205130510/https://www.lego.com/en-gb/legal/notices-and-policies/fair-play/ |url-status=live }} [106] => [107] => == Clones == [108] => {{Main|Lego clone}} [109] => The last significant patent for Lego bricks expired in 1978.{{cite news|last1=Austen|first1=Ian|title=Building a Legal Case, Block by Block|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/02/business/worldbusiness/02lego.html|access-date=9 March 2015|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=28 January 2005|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402122304/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/02/business/worldbusiness/02lego.html|archive-date=2 April 2015}} Since then, competitors have produced blocks of similar dimensions and design that can be connected with Lego bricks. In 2002, Lego sued the [[CoCo (toys)|CoCo Toy Company]] in Beijing for [[copyright infringement]] over its "Coko bricks" product. CoCo was ordered to cease manufacture of the products, publish a formal apology and pay damages.{{cite web|url=http://www.ccpit-patent.com.cn/News/2003041001.htm|title=News|publisher=Ccpit-patent.com.cn|access-date=20 August 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120707025218/http://www.ccpit-patent.com.cn/News/2003041001.htm|archive-date=7 July 2012}} Lego sued the English company [[Best-Lock|Best-Lock Construction Toys]] in German courts in 2004{{cite web|title=Best Lock Petitions US Patent Office|url=http://www.masslive.com/business-news/index.ssf/2012/01/best-lock_petitions_us_patent_office_to.html|website=Mass Live|date=30 January 2012 |access-date=7 September 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919071708/http://www.masslive.com/business-news/index.ssf/2012/01/best-lock_petitions_us_patent_office_to.html|archive-date=19 September 2015}} and 2009;{{cite web|title=Lego Deleted as a Trademark|url=http://www.markenmagazin.de/pressemitteilung-des-bgh-nr-1582009-legostein-als-marke-geloescht/|website=Marken Magazine|date=21 July 2009 |access-date=25 August 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001111810/http://www.markenmagazin.de/pressemitteilung-des-bgh-nr-1582009-legostein-als-marke-geloescht/|archive-date=1 October 2015}} the [[Federal Patent Court (Germany)|Federal Patent Court of Germany]] denied Lego trademark protection for the shape of its bricks for the latter case.{{cite web|title=Court Ruling|url=http://juris.bundesgerichtshof.de/cgi-bin/rechtsprechung/document.py?Gericht=bgh&Art=en&Datum=Aktuell&nr=32168&linked=pm|website=Bundesgerichtshof|access-date=6 September 2015|archive-date=28 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151028011220/http://juris.bundesgerichtshof.de/cgi-bin/rechtsprechung/document.py?Gericht=bgh&Art=en&Datum=Aktuell&nr=32168&linked=pm|url-status=live}} In 2005, the Lego Company sued Canadian company Ritvik Holdings Inc., which makes [[Mega Brands|Mega Bloks]], for trademark violation. However, the [[Supreme Court of Canada]] [[Kirkbi AG v Ritvik Holdings Inc|upheld Ritvik Holdings Inc.'s rights to sell its product]].{{cite web|title=Lego v. Mega Bloks|url=http://www.canlii.org/en/ca/scc/doc/2005/2005scc65/2005scc65.html|website=Canlii|access-date=6 September 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201144544/http://www.canlii.org/en/ca/scc/doc/2005/2005scc65/2005scc65.html|archive-date=1 February 2016}} In 2010, the [[European Court of Justice]] ruled that the eight-peg design of the original Lego brick "merely performs a technical function [and] cannot be registered as a trademark."{{cite news|title=Montreal's Mega Brands face off in court with Lego| website=[[The Globe and Mail]] | date=15 January 2012 |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/lego-mega-brands-face-off-in-court/article1358492/|access-date=6 September 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123094334/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/lego-mega-brands-face-off-in-court/article1358492/|archive-date=23 January 2016}} [110] => [111] => In 2020 and 2021, Lego sent cease and desist letters to small toy retailers and popular YouTubers in Germany. In 2021, a shipment of bricks delivered by clone producer Qman was blocked from passing through German customs due to concerns over the potential infringement of Lego's intellectual property. The recipient toy retailer initiated an appeal for donations to import containers of Lego clones from China to Germany and donate them to children's homes, which received more than {{currency|350,000|eur}} within a couple of weeks.[https://www.tagesspiegel.de/themen/reportage/pr-desaster-fuer-weltkonzern-lego-bringt-die-treuesten-fans-gegen-sich-auf/26934832.html Lego bringt die treuesten Fans gegen sich auf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305205955/https://www.tagesspiegel.de/themen/reportage/pr-desaster-fuer-weltkonzern-lego-bringt-die-treuesten-fans-gegen-sich-auf/26934832.html |date=5 March 2021 }} {{Lang|de|[[Der Tagesspiegel]]}}, 21 February 2020[https://orf.at/stories/3202503/ Rumoren in der Lego-Welt] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307040837/https://orf.at/stories/3202503/ |date=7 March 2021 }}, orf.at, 6 March 2021.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SROfLs6FPw EXTRABLATT!! LEGO hat mächtig Angst und schlägt wild um sich! Qman soll vernichtet werden] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306195457/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SROfLs6FPw |date=6 March 2021 }}, Thomas Panke, 5 March 2021. [112] => [113] => LEGO, the LEGO logo, the Minifigure, DUPLO, the DUPLO logo, NINJAGO, the NINJAGO logo, the FRIENDS logo, the HIDDEN SIDE logo, the MINIFIGURES logo, MINDSTORMS and the MINDSTORMS logo are trademarks of the LEGO Group.{{Cite web |title=Intellectual Property Notice - Notices & Policies - - LEGO.com US |url=https://www.lego.com/en-us/legal/notices-and-policies/intellectual-property-notice/ |access-date=2024-04-20 |website=www.lego.com}}{{Cite web |date=2020-10-23 |title=LEGO Trademarks - Gerben IP |url=https://www.gerbenlaw.com/trademarks/toy-companies/lego/ |access-date=2024-04-20 |website=www.gerbenlaw.com |language=en-US}} [114] => [115] => == Related services == [116] => === Official website === [117] => First launched in 1996, the Lego website has developed over the years, and provides many extra services beyond an online store and a product catalogue. There are also moderated message boards that were founded in 2001.{{cite web|title=Lego Website|url=http://www.lego.com/en-us/default.aspx|website=Lego|access-date=6 September 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905114711/http://www.lego.com/en-us/default.aspx|archive-date=5 September 2015}} The site also includes instruction booklets for all Lego sets dating back to 2002.{{cite web|title=Lego instruction manuals|url=http://service.lego.com/en-us/buildinginstructions?ignorereferer=true|website=Lego|access-date=6 September 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150914144459/http://service.lego.com/en-us/buildinginstructions?ignorereferer=true|archive-date=14 September 2015}} [118] => [119] => The Lego website features a social media app named [[Lego Life]],{{cite web |url=https://www.lego.com/en-my/aboutus/news/2019/october/lego-life |title= LEGO Group Launches LEGO Life, a Safe Social Network for Children Under 13 |author= Lego Group |date= 31 January 2017 |website= Lego.com |publisher= Lego |access-date= 8 January 2021 |archive-date= 10 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110131046/https://www.lego.com/en-my/aboutus/news/2019/october/lego-life |url-status= live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.lego.com/en-my/aboutus/news/2019/october/safer-internet-day |title= LEGO Life launches quiz challenges to promote online safety for children |author= Lego Group |date= 7 February 2017 |website= Lego.com |publisher= Lego |access-date= 8 January 2021 |archive-date= 10 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110131108/https://www.lego.com/en-my/aboutus/news/2019/october/safer-internet-day |url-status= live }} which is designed for children under 13 years of age. The app is available as a free download and only features Lego-related content. It was designed to be a social network for children to be inspired, create and share their Lego builds, photos and videos with a like-minded community, whilst also providing Lego content in the form of product advertising, images, videos, campaigns and competitions. The app incorporates a variety of child safety features to provide a safe digital environment for children, including the protection of personal information and the heavy moderation of all uploaded [[user-generated content]] and communication.{{Cite web|last=Larson|first=Selena|date=31 January 2017|title=Lego's new social network wants to keep bullies out|url=https://money.cnn.com/2017/01/31/technology/lego-life-social-network/index.html|access-date=17 November 2020|website=CNN Business|archive-date=11 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111224700/https://money.cnn.com/2017/01/31/technology/lego-life-social-network/index.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.lego.com/en-my/aboutus/news/2020/november/build-talk-cyberbullying |title= The LEGO Group launches new range of activities to help the whole family feel empowered to act against cyberbullying |author= Lego Group |date= 16 November 2020 |website= Lego.com |publisher= Lego |access-date= 2 December 2020 |archive-date= 10 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110131117/https://www.lego.com/en-my/aboutus/news/2020/november/build-talk-cyberbullying |url-status= live }} [120] => [121] => ''My Lego Network'' was a social networking site that involved items, blueprints, ranks, badges which were earned for completing certain tasks, trading and trophies called masterpieces which allowed users to progress to go to the next rank. The website had a built-in inbox which allowed users to send pre-written messages to one another. The Lego Network included automated [[non-player character]]s within called "Networkers", who were able to do things which normal users could not do, sending custom messages, and selling masterpieces and blueprints. The site also had modules which were set up on the user's page that gave the user items, or that displayed picture compositions. My Lego network closed in 2015. [122] => [123] => Before My Lego Network, there were Lego Club Pages, which essentially held the same purpose, although the design lacked complex interaction.{{cite web|title=My Lego Network|url=http://mln.lego.com/en-us/network/status.aspx|website=Lego|access-date=6 September 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150914134748/http://mln.lego.com/en-us/network/status.aspx|archive-date=14 September 2015}} [124] => [125] => === Theme parks === [126] => {{Main|Legoland}} [127] => [[File:Trafalgar Legoland 2003.jpg|thumb|left|A model of [[Trafalgar Square]], London in [[Legoland Windsor]]]] [128] => [[Merlin Entertainments]] operates eight [[Legoland]] [[amusement park]]s, the original in [[Billund, Denmark|Billund]], Denmark, the second in [[Windsor, Berkshire|Windsor]], England, the third in [[Günzburg]], Germany, the fourth in [[Carlsbad, California|Carlsbad]], California, the fifth in [[Winter Haven, Florida|Winter Haven]], Florida, the sixth in [[Iskandar Puteri]], Malaysia,{{cite web|title=Legoland|url=http://www.legoland.com|website=Lego|access-date=6 September 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905052311/http://www.legoland.com/|archive-date=5 September 2015}} the seventh in [[Dubai]], United Arab Emirates,{{cite web|title=Now open: Legoland Dubai|url=http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/leisure/now-open-legoland-dubai-1.1921442|website=Gulfnews|date=31 October 2016 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161102113939/http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/leisure/now-open-legoland-dubai-1.1921442|archive-date=2 November 2016}} and the eighth in [[Nagoya]], Japan.{{cite web|url=http://www.legoland.com|title=Legoland|access-date=23 September 2019|archive-date=5 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905052311/http://www.legoland.com/|url-status=live}} A ninth is planned to open in 2020 in [[Goshen, New York|Goshen]], New York, United States, and a tenth in 2022 in [[Shanghai]], China.{{Cite web|url=https://gbtimes.com/second-legoland-theme-park-to-be-built-in-china|title=Second Legoland theme park to be built in China|website=gbtimes.com|access-date=23 September 2019|archive-date=23 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923130716/https://gbtimes.com/second-legoland-theme-park-to-be-built-in-china|url-status=live}} On 13 July 2005, the control of 70% of the Legoland parks was sold for $460 million to the [[Blackstone Inc.|Blackstone Group]] of New York while the remaining 30% is still held by Lego Group.{{cite news|title=Legoland sale to Merlin Entertainment|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4678213.stm|website=BBC|date=13 July 2005 |access-date=6 September 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060524175214/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4678213.stm|archive-date=24 May 2006}} There are also eight [[Legoland Discovery Centre]]s, two in Germany, four in the United States, one in Japan and one in the United Kingdom. Two Legoland Discovery Centres opened in 2013: one at the Westchester Ridge Hill shopping complex in [[Yonkers, New York|Yonkers]], New York, and one at the Vaughan Mills in [[Vaughan]], Ontario, Canada. Another opened at [[American Dream Meadowlands]] in [[East Rutherford, New Jersey]], in 2021.{{cite web |title=2 American Dream attractions delay opening date |url=https://www.nj.com/news/2021/04/2-american-dream-attractions-delay-opening-date.html |website=nj.com |date=21 April 2021 |access-date=1 July 2022 |archive-date=1 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701194951/https://www.nj.com/news/2021/04/2-american-dream-attractions-delay-opening-date.html |url-status=live }} [129] => [130] => === Retail stores === [131] => [[File:LEGOStoreFairviewMall10.JPG|thumb|A Lego store in Toronto, Canada]] [132] => [[File:Lego Store, Leicester Square - geograph.org.uk - 5224356.jpg|thumb|right|The world's largest Lego store in [[Leicester Square]], London]] [133] => The first Lego store to open anywhere in the world was in Sydney, Australia, in 1984. Located in the Birkenhead Point Outlet Centre it was not only the first dedicated Lego retail outlet, but it also had displays including many iconic Australian items such as the Holden FJ, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the Sydney Opera House as well as buildings from Amsterdam, dinosaurs and an English Village. Known as The LEGO Centre, Birkenhead Point, the store closed in the early 1990s.{{cite web |url=https://www.toltoys.com/2011/05/the-first-lego-store-birkenhead-point-sydney-lego-centre/ |title=The First LEGO Store: Birkenhead Point Sydney LEGO Centre |website=Toltoys Kid |location=Australia |date=30 May 2011 |access-date=16 October 2021 |archive-date=17 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917042056/https://www.toltoys.com/2011/05/the-first-lego-store-birkenhead-point-sydney-lego-centre/ |url-status=live }} [134] => [135] => {{As of|March 2024}}, Lego operates 1031 retail shops, called Lego Stores, globally.{{cite web |last1=Bricksprice |date=14 March 2024 |title=LEGO's Thriving Growth in 2023 |url=https://bricksprice.com/legos-thriving-growth-in-2023-surpassing-market-challenges-and-embracing-a-sustainable-future/ |access-date=14 March 2024 |website=BricksPrice |publisher=bricksprice.com}} The world's largest Lego store is located in [[Leicester Square]], London.{{cite news |title=Flagship Store London Leicester Square |url=https://www.lego.com/en-gb/service/help/lego_stores/lego_stores/flagship-store-london-leicester-square-kA009000001dcDjCAI?locale=en-gb&consent-modal=show&age-gate=grown_up |access-date=16 October 2023 |publisher=Lego.com}} The U.S. stores include the [[Downtown Disney]] shopping complexes at [[Disneyland Resort|Disneyland]] and [[Walt Disney World|Walt Disney World Resorts]] as well as in [[Mall of America]] in [[Bloomington, Minnesota|Bloomington]], Minnesota. The opening of each new store is celebrated with a weekend-long event in which a Master Model Builder creates, with the help of volunteers—a larger-than-life Lego statue, which is then displayed at the new store for several weeks.{{cite web|title=Lego Store Grand Openings|url=http://accesswinnipeg.com/2015/07/lego-store-grand-opening-celebration-help-build-an-8-foot-tall-yoda-model-on-july-24/|website=Access Winnipeg |date=21 July 2015 |access-date=25 August 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724091408/http://accesswinnipeg.com/2015/07/lego-store-grand-opening-celebration-help-build-an-8-foot-tall-yoda-model-on-july-24/|archive-date=24 July 2015}} [136] => [137] => === Business consultancy === [138] => {{Main|Lego Serious Play}} [139] => Since around 2000, the Lego Group has been promoting "Lego Serious Play", a form of business consultancy fostering creative thinking, in which team members build metaphors of their organizational identities and experiences using Lego bricks. Participants work through imaginary scenarios using visual three-dimensional Lego constructions, imaginatively exploring possibilities in a serious form of play.{{cite web|title=Serious Play|url=http://www.lego.com/en-us/seriousplay|website=Lego|access-date=6 September 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912081309/http://www.lego.com/en-us/seriousplay|archive-date=12 September 2015}} [140] => [141] => == Related products == [142] => === Video games === [143] => {{Main|List of Lego video games}} [144] => Lego branched out into the [[video game]] market in 1997 by founding [[Lego Interactive|Lego Media International Limited]], and ''[[Lego Island]]'' was released that year by [[Mindscape (company)|Mindscape]]. After this Lego released titles such as ''[[Lego Creator (video game)|Lego Creator]]'' and ''[[Lego Racers (video game)|Lego Racers]]''. [145] => [146] => After Lego closed down their publishing subsidiary, they moved on to a partnership with [[Traveller's Tales]], and went on to make games like ''[[Lego Star Wars: The Video Game|Lego Star Wars]]'', ''[[Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures|Lego Indiana Jones]]'', ''[[Lego Batman: The Videogame|Lego Batman]]'', and many more including the very well-received ''[[Lego Marvel Super Heroes]]'' game, featuring New York City as the overworld and including [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] characters from the [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]], the [[Fantastic Four]], the [[X-Men]], and more.{{cite web|title=Lego Marvel Superheroes Video Game|url=http://marvel.com/news/video_games/19916/lego_marvel_super_heroes_game_on_the_way|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140917094755/http://marvel.com/news/video_games/19916/lego_marvel_super_heroes_game_on_the_way|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 September 2014|website=Marvel|access-date=6 September 2015}}{{cite web|title=History of Lego Video Games|url=http://moviepilot.com/posts/2015/07/21/the-history-of-the-lego-video-games-3399369|website=Movie Pilot|access-date=6 September 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150826012035/http://moviepilot.com/posts/2015/07/21/the-history-of-the-lego-video-games-3399369|archive-date=26 August 2015}} In 2014, Lego created a [[The Lego Movie Videogame|game]] based on ''[[The Lego Movie]]'', due to its popularity.{{cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/01/build-your-destiny-with-the-lego-movie-videogame-o.html|title=Build Your Destiny with The Lego Movie Videogame on iOS|last=Minton|first=Turner|date=23 January 2015|website=pastemagazine.com|publisher=Paste Media Group|access-date=1 November 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710184405/https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/01/build-your-destiny-with-the-lego-movie-videogame-o.html|archive-date=10 July 2017}} [147] => [148] => === Board games === [149] => {{Main|Lego board games}} [150] => [[Lego Games]] launched in 2009, was a series of Lego-themed board games designed by Cephas Howard and [[Reiner Knizia]]{{cite web|url=http://www.brettspiel.co.uk/2009/07/lego-board-games-interview-with-cephas.html|title=LEGO Board Games: Interview with Cephas Howard|last=Gilbert|first=Brett J.|date=12 July 2009|publisher=BrettSpiel|access-date=24 August 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090818081257/http://www.brettspiel.co.uk/2009/07/lego-board-games-interview-with-cephas.html|archive-date=18 August 2009}}{{cite web|url=http://games.lego.com/en-us/default.aspx?domainredir=www.games.lego.com|title=LEGO Games|access-date=6 September 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817010254/http://games.lego.com/en-us/default.aspx?domainredir=www.games.lego.com|archive-date=17 August 2010}} in which the players usually build the playing board out of Lego bricks and then play with Lego-style players. Examples of the games include "Minotaurus", in which players roll dice to move characters within a brick-build labyrinth, "Creationary", in which players must build something which appears on a card, or "Ramses Pyramid", in which players collect gems and climb up a customizable pyramid. Like many board games, the games use [[dice]]. In Lego Games, the dice are Lego, with Lego squares with symbols on Lego studs on the dice, surrounded by rubber. The games vary from simple to complex; some are similar to "traditional" board games, while others are completely different.{{cite web|title=Lego Games|url=http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamefamily/2909/lego-games|website=Board Game Geek|access-date=6 September 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915013923/http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamefamily/2909/lego-games|archive-date=15 September 2015}} [151] => [152] => === Films and television === [153] => {{Main|List of Lego films and TV series|The Lego Movie|The Lego Batman Movie|The Lego Ninjago Movie|The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part}} [154] => The first official Lego film was the straight-to-DVD release of ''[[Bionicle: Mask of Light]]'' in 2003 developed by [[Creative Capers Entertainment]] and distributed by [[Miramax Home Entertainment]]. Several other straight-to-DVD computer-animated Bionicle sequels and Hero Factory movies were produced in the following years. ''[[Lego: The Adventures of Clutch Powers]]'' was released on DVD in February 2010, a computer-animated film made by Tinseltown Toons.{{cite web|url=http://club.lego.com/en-us/news/ExtraDetails.aspx?id=150337|title=LEGO.com LEGO Club : News & Extras|publisher=Club.lego.com|date=23 February 2010|access-date=29 May 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100604215413/http://club.lego.com/en-us/news/ExtraDetails.aspx?id=150337|archive-date=4 June 2010}} A computer-generated animated series titled ''[[Lego Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu]]'' began in January 2011 for the [[Lego Ninjago]] brand.{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Prerna |date=26 January 2021 |title=Ninjago Season 14: Everything We Know |url=https://thecinemaholic.com/ninjago-season-14-everything-we-know/ |access-date=6 October 2022 |website=The Cinemaholic |language=en-US |archive-date=6 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006145237/https://thecinemaholic.com/ninjago-season-14-everything-we-know/ |url-status=live }} Another television series titled ''[[Legends of Chima]]'' began in 2013 for the [[Lego Legends of Chima|Legends of Chima]] brand.{{Cite web |last1=Lowry |first1=Brian |date=9 July 2013 |title=Beware the Batman, Legends of Chima |url=https://variety.com/2013/tv/reviews/beware-the-batman-legends-of-chima-reviews-1200504635/ |access-date=6 October 2022 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=6 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006145235/https://variety.com/2013/tv/reviews/beware-the-batman-legends-of-chima-reviews-1200504635/ |url-status=live }} In December 2015, a television series titled ''[[Nexo Knights]]'' made its debut for the Lego Nexo Knights brand.{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Matt |date=8 October 2015 |title=LEGO Announces Nexo Knights Including New Building Sets, TV Show, and Mobile Game |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/10/08/lego-announces-nexo-knights-including-new-building-sets-tv-show-and-mobile-game |access-date=6 October 2022 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=6 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006151334/https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/10/08/lego-announces-nexo-knights-including-new-building-sets-tv-show-and-mobile-game |url-status=live }} An animated series titled ''Lego Elves'' was released in 2015 and another titled ''Lego Elves: Secrets of Elvendale'' was released in 2017 for the [[Lego Elves]] brand.{{Cite web |date=24 August 2017 |title=Lego's New Netflix Series Isn't Very Lego, And That's A Good Thing |url=https://kotaku.com/legos-new-netflix-series-isnt-very-lego-and-thats-a-go-1798386259 |access-date=6 October 2022 |website=Kotaku |language=en |archive-date=6 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006172001/https://kotaku.com/legos-new-netflix-series-isnt-very-lego-and-thats-a-go-1798386259 |url-status=live }} In 2016, ''[[Lego Bionicle: The Journey to One|Lego Bionicle: The Journey To One]]'' was released for the [[Bionicle]] franchise and ''Lego Friends: The Power of Friendship'' for the [[Lego Friends]] brand.{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=1 October 2015 |title=Netflix Orders 7 Original Kids' Series, Including Lego's 'Bionicle' and DreamWorks' 'Croods' |url=https://variety.com/2015/digital/news/netflix-orders-7-original-kids-series-including-legos-bionicle-and-dreamworks-croods-1201607216/ |access-date=6 October 2022 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=28 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151228140103/http://variety.com/2015/digital/news/netflix-orders-7-original-kids-series-including-legos-bionicle-and-dreamworks-croods-1201607216/ |url-status=live }} In June 2019, an animated series titled ''[[Lego City Adventures]]'' was released for the [[Lego City]] brand.{{Cite web |last=Kelley |first=Shamus |date=14 May 2019 |title=LEGO City Adventures Trailer and Release Date Revealed |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/lego-city-adventures-trailer-release-date-news/ |access-date=6 October 2022 |website=Den of Geek |language=en-US |archive-date=6 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006153801/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/lego-city-adventures-trailer-release-date-news/ |url-status=live }} In 2021, an animated series titled ''[[Lego Monkie Kid]]'' was released to support the Lego brand of the same name.{{Cite web |last=Morgan |first=Stephanie |title=Lego Monkie Kid TV Review {{!}} Common Sense Media |url=https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/lego-monkie-kid |access-date=6 October 2022 |website=www.commonsensemedia.org |language=en |archive-date=6 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006192437/https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/lego-monkie-kid |url-status=live }} [155] => [156] => ''[[The Lego Movie]]'', a feature film based on Lego toys, was released by [[Warner Bros.]] in February 2014.{{cite web|title=Warner Bros. Sets dates for the Lego Movie|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=23 April 2012 |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/lego-movie-jackie-robinson-warner-bros-315119|access-date=6 September 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924191651/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lego-movie-jackie-robinson-warner-bros-315119|archive-date=24 September 2015}} It featured [[Chris Pratt]] in the lead role, with substantial supporting characters voiced by [[Elizabeth Banks]], [[Will Arnett]], [[Morgan Freeman]], [[Liam Neeson]], [[Alison Brie]], [[Will Ferrell]] and [[Nick Offerman]].{{cite web|title=Will Ferrell and Liam Neeson join Lego animated film|url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/lego-will-ferrell-liam-neeson-388097|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=9 November 2012|last=Kit|first=Borys|access-date=6 September 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513141850/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/lego-will-ferrell-liam-neeson-388097|archive-date=13 May 2013}} A contest was held for contestants to submit designs for vehicles to be used in the film.{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/lego-movie-competition/207141/|title=Lego:The Piece of Resistance Offers Up Two Design Competitions for Fans {{pipe}} Collider {{pipe}} Page 207141|website=Collider|access-date=20 August 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227203559/http://collider.com/lego-movie-competition/207141/|archive-date=27 December 2013}} After the release of ''The Lego Movie'', independent Canadian toy retailers reported issues with shortages of Lego products and cited cancellations of Lego pre-orders without warning{{Cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/lego-shortage-leaves-independent-stores-with-empty-shelves-1.2871938|title=Lego shortage leaves independent stores with empty shelves|date=15 December 2014 |website=cbc.ca |publisher=[[CBC News]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231065907/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/lego-shortage-leaves-independent-stores-with-empty-shelves-1.2871938|archive-date=31 December 2014}} as a motive to stock compatible, rival products.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/canadian-company-brictek-thrives-amid-lego-shortage-1.2874636|title=Canadian company Brictek thrives amid Lego shortage|date=16 December 2014|website=cbc.ca|publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231065858/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/canadian-company-brictek-thrives-amid-lego-shortage-1.2874636|archive-date=31 December 2014}} [157] => [158] => A spin-off of ''The Lego Movie'', entitled ''[[The Lego Batman Movie]]'', directed by [[Chris McKay]] was released in the US in February 2017.{{Cite web |last=Levine |first=Nick |date=9 February 2017 |title=Lego Batman Movie installs giant batarang on London's South Bank |url=https://www.nme.com/news/lego-batman-movie-aims-giant-batarang-at-londons-south-bank-1971321 |access-date=6 October 2022 |website=NME |language=en-GB |archive-date=6 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006162400/https://www.nme.com/news/lego-batman-movie-aims-giant-batarang-at-londons-south-bank-1971321 |url-status=live }} A sequel to ''The Lego Batman Movie'' was planned and later cancelled.{{Cite web |last=Seddon |first=Gem |date=15 June 2021 |title=Lego Batman 2 no longer happening as director reveals the sequel's scrapped story |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/lego-batman-2-no-longer-happening-as-director-reveals-the-sequels-scrapped-story/ |access-date=6 October 2022 |website=gamesradar |language=en |archive-date=6 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006170232/https://www.gamesradar.com/lego-batman-2-no-longer-happening-as-director-reveals-the-sequels-scrapped-story/ |url-status=live }} [159] => [160] => In June 2013, it was reported that Warner Bros. was developing a feature film adaptation of [[Lego Ninjago]]. Brothers [[The Hageman Brothers|Dan Hageman and Kevin Hageman]] were attached to write the adaptation, while [[Dan Lin]] and [[Roy Lee]], along with [[Phil Lord and Chris Miller]], were announced as producers.{{cite news|last=Siegel|first=Tatiana|title=Warner Bros. to Bring Lego's 'Ninjago' to Big Screen (Exclusive)|url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/warner-bros-bring-legos-ninjago-575738|access-date=10 July 2013|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|date=27 June 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704101934/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/warner-bros-bring-legos-ninjago-575738|archive-date=4 July 2013}} The film, ''[[The Lego Ninjago Movie]]'', was released in September 2017.{{Cite web |date=7 February 2017 |title=Here's your first look at The LEGO Ninjago Movie starring Jackie Chan |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/lego-ninjago-movie-teaser-trailer-lego-movie-spinoff-a7567606.html |access-date=6 October 2022 |website=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=6 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006162750/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/lego-ninjago-movie-teaser-trailer-lego-movie-spinoff-a7567606.html |url-status=live }} [161] => [162] => In February 2019, ''[[The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part]]'' was released, which was a direct sequel to the original film and starred Chris Pratt in the lead role.{{Cite web |last=Whitten |first=Sarah |title=The box office needs 'The Lego Movie 2' to reignite ticket sales after a dismal January |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/06/the-box-office-needs-the-lego-movie-2-to-reignite-ticket-sales.html |access-date=6 October 2022 |website=CNBC |date=6 February 2019 |language=en |archive-date=6 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006161648/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/06/the-box-office-needs-the-lego-movie-2-to-reignite-ticket-sales.html |url-status=live }} [163] => [164] => === Books and magazines === [165] => Lego has an ongoing deal with British multinational publisher [[DK (publisher)|Dorling Kindersley]] (DK), who have produced a series of illustrated hardback books looking at different aspects of the construction toy. The first was ''The Ultimate Lego Book'', published in 1999. In 2009, the same publisher produced ''The LEGO Book'', which was sold within a slipcase along with ''Standing Small: A celebration of 30 years of the LEGO minifigure'', a smaller book focused on the minifigure. In 2012, a revised edition was published. Also in 2009, DK also published books on Lego Star Wars and a range of Lego-based sticker books.{{cite web|title=DK Lego Books|url=http://www.dk.com/us/lego/|website=DK|access-date=6 September 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150823045322/http://www.dk.com/us/lego/|archive-date=23 August 2015}} [166] => [167] => Although no longer being published in the United States by [[Scholastic Corporation|Scholastic]], books covering events in the Bionicle storyline are written by [[Greg Farshtey]]. They are still being published in Europe by AMEET. Bionicle comics, also written by Farshtey, are compiled into graphic novels and were released by Papercutz. This series ended in 2009, after nine years.{{cite web|title=Bionicle Graphic Novels|url=http://papercutz.com/comics/bionicle|website=Papercutz|access-date=26 August 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905053411/http://papercutz.com/comics/bionicle|archive-date=5 September 2015}} [168] => [169] => There is also the Lego Club and Brickmaster magazine, the latter discontinued in 2011.{{cite web|title=Brickmaster is Ending|url=http://brickset.com/article/877|website=Brickset|date=9 September 2010 |access-date=8 August 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150822144350/http://brickset.com/article/877|archive-date=22 August 2015}} The ''[[Lego Life#Magazine|Lego Life]] Magazine'' was released in 2017 and serves as a replacement for the ''[[Lego Club Magazine]]''.{{cite news |title=LEGO Life Magazine Now Available For Digital Download |url=https://www.brickfinder.net/2017/04/19/lego-life-magazine-digital-download/ |access-date=14 February 2024 |website=Brickfinder.net}} [170] => [171] => === Clothing === [172] => Kabooki, a Danish company founded in 1993, produces children's clothes branded as "Lego Wear" under licence from the Lego Group.{{cite web|title=Kabooki|url=https://www.legowear.com/kabooki-uk.aspx|website=Lego Wear|access-date=25 August 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150823155309/http://m.legowear.com/kabooki-uk.aspx|archive-date=23 August 2015}} In 2020, Lego announced collaborations with [[Adidas]] and [[Levi Strauss & Co.|Levi's]].{{cite web|url=https://www.lego.com/en-us/levis|title=LEGO Group x Levi's Collection|publisher=Lego.com|access-date=20 September 2020|archive-date=29 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029063015/https://www.lego.com/en-us/levis|url-status=live}} In 2021, Lego announced collaborations with Justhype and Adidas to produce apparel inspired by the [[Lego Ninjago]] theme.{{cite web |url= https://www.lego.com/en-my/aboutus/news/2021/january/hype-launches-iconic-and-colourful-streetwear-collection-inspired-by-lego-ninjago- |title= HYPE. LAUNCHES ICONIC AND COLOURFUL STREETWEAR COLLECTION INSPIRED BY LEGO NINJAGO |author= Lego Group |date= 10 January 2021 |website= Lego.com |publisher= Lego |access-date= 10 February 2021 |archive-date= 12 February 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210212235508/https://www.lego.com/en-my/aboutus/news/2021/january/hype-launches-iconic-and-colourful-streetwear-collection-inspired-by-lego-ninjago- |url-status= live }}{{cite web |url= https://www.lego.com/en-my/aboutus/news/2021/february/lego-adidas-new-drop |title= NEW DROP FROM ADIDAS AND THE LEGO GROUP CELEBRATES PLAYFUL VIBES FROM LEGO DOTS AND NINJAGO |author= Lego Group |date= 24 February 2021 |website= Lego.com |publisher= Lego |access-date= 10 March 2021 |archive-date= 20 April 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210420144857/https://www.lego.com/en-my/aboutus/news/2021/february/lego-adidas-new-drop/ |url-status= live }} In May 2021, Lego announced collaborations with Adidas to produce products inspired by the [[Lego Vidiyo]] theme.{{cite web |url= https://www.lego.com/en-my/aboutus/news/2021/may/adidas-lego-vidiyo |title= Make the world your stage with new adidas and LEGO VIDIYO apparel |author= Lego Group |date= 27 May 2021 |website= Lego.com |publisher= Lego |access-date= 10 June 2021 |archive-date= 11 June 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210611141026/https://www.lego.com/en-my/aboutus/news/2021/may/adidas-lego-vidiyo |url-status= live }} [173] => [174] => == References == [175] => {{Reflist}} [176] => [177] => === Bibliography === [178] => * {{cite book|last=Bagnall|first=Brian|title=Core LEGO Mindstorms|publisher=Prentice-Hall PTR|year=2002|isbn=0-13-009364-5}} [179] => * {{cite book|last=Bagnall|first=Brian|title=Maximum LEGO NXT: Building Robots with Java Brains|publisher=Variant Press|year=2007|isbn=978-0-9738649-1-5}} [180] => * {{cite book|last1=Bedford|first1=Allan|title=The Unofficial LEGO Builder's Guide|location=San Francisco|publisher=No Starch Press|year=2005|isbn=1-59327-054-2|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/unofficiallegobu0000bedf}} [181] => * {{cite book|last1=Clague|first1=Kevin|first2=Miguel|last2=Agullo|first3=Lars C.|last3=Hassing|title=LEGO Software Power Tools, With LDraw, MLCad, and LPub|year=2003|publisher=Syngress |isbn=1-931836-76-0}} [182] => * {{cite book|last1=Courtney|first1=Tim|first2=Ahui|last2=Herrera|first3=Steve|last3=Bliss|title=Virtual LEGO: The Official LDraw.org Guide to LDraw Tools for Windows|location=San Francisco|publisher=No Starch Press|year=2003|isbn=1-886411-94-8}} [183] => * {{cite book|last1=McKee|first1=Jacob H|title=Getting Started with LEGO Trains|location=San Francisco|publisher=No Starch Press|year=2003|isbn=1-59327-006-2}} [184] => * {{cite book|last1=Ferrari|first1=Mario|first2=Giulio|last2=Ferrari|first3=Ralph|last3=Hempel|title=Building Robots With LEGO Mindstorms: The Ultimate Tool for Mindstorms Maniacs|year=2001|publisher=Syngress Media|isbn=1-928994-67-9|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/buildingrobotswi00mari}} [185] => * {{cite book|last=Pickering|first=David|title=The Ultimate LEGO Book|location=New York|publisher=Dorling Kindersley|year=1999|isbn=0-7894-4691-X}} [186] => * {{cite book|last=Lipkowitz|first=Daniel|title=The LEGO Book|location=London|publisher=Dorling Kindersley|year=2012|isbn=978-1-4093-7660-6}} [187] => * {{cite book|last=Wiencek|first=Henry|title=The World of LEGO Toys|location=New York|publisher=Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Publishers|year=1987|isbn=0-8109-2362-9}} [188] => * {{cite book|last1=Pilegaard|first1=Ulrik|last2=Dooley|first2=Mike|title=Forbidden LEGO|location=San Francisco|publisher=No Starch Press|year=2007|isbn=978-1-59327-137-4|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/forbiddenlegobui0000pile}} [189] => * {{cite book|last1=May|first1=James|author-link1=James May|title=James May's Toy Stories|year=2009|publisher=Conway|location=London|isbn=978-1-84486-107-1|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/jamesmaystoystor0000mayj}} [190] => [191] => == External links == [192] => {{Spoken Wikipedia|Lego.ogg|date=12 February 2006}} [193] => {{commons category}} [194] => * {{Official website}} [195] => * [https://brickset.com/ Lego sets guide and database] [196] => [197] => {{Lego}} [198] => [199] => {{Portal bar|Denmark|Toys}} [200] => {{Sister bar|auto=yes}} [201] => {{Authority control}} [202] => [203] => [[Category:Lego| ]] [204] => [[Category:1949 establishments in Denmark]] [205] => [[Category:Construction toys]] [206] => [[Category:Danish brands]] [207] => [[Category:Danish Culture Canon]] [208] => [[Category:Danish design]] [209] => [[Category:Danish inventions]] [210] => [[Category:Products introduced in 1949]] [211] => [[Category:Toy brands]] [212] => [[Category:Toy companies of Denmark]] [213] => [[Category:Toy train manufacturers]] [] => )
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Lego

Lego is a popular line of plastic construction toys that are known for their colorful interlocking bricks. The name Lego is derived from the Danish words "leg godt," meaning "play well.

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About

The name Lego is derived from the Danish words "leg godt," meaning "play well. " The company was founded in 1932 by Ole Kirk Christiansen and initially produced wooden toys. However, in 1949, Lego introduced the groundbreaking Lego bricks that we know today. These bricks can be connected in many different ways, allowing for endless possibilities in creating various structures, vehicles, and even complex models. Over the years, Lego has expanded its product range to include themed sets based on popular movies, TV shows, and franchises, such as Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Marvel Super Heroes. The company has also released sets catering to different age groups, from Duplo bricks for toddlers to more advanced Technic sets for older children and adults. Lego has become a cultural icon, loved by millions of people worldwide. The toys are not only entertaining but also educational, promoting creativity, problem-solving, and spatial awareness. Lego sets are designed to be versatile, encouraging open-ended play and fostering imagination. In addition to the traditional building sets, Lego has also collaborated with video game developers to create Lego-themed video games, where players can explore virtual worlds made entirely of Lego bricks. Furthermore, the company has expanded into animated films and television shows, with successful releases like "The Lego Movie" and "Lego Masters. " Lego has had its fair share of challenges throughout its history, including financial struggles and trademark battles, but it has continuously managed to innovate and adapt to the changing market. The company is committed to sustainability and has taken steps to reduce its environmental impact, such as investing in renewable energy and using plant-based plastics in its products. Today, Lego remains a beloved brand that brings joy to children and adults alike, fostering creativity, imagination, and play. Its enduring popularity and timeless appeal have solidified its place as one of the most iconic and successful toy companies in the world.

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