Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at Young V&A
Play Gallery, Build It, Case 2

LEGO System

Construction Bricks
1960s (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

In 1932 Ole Kirk Christiansen, a carpenter and joiner, founded a business at Billund, Denmark, making ladders, ironing boards and wooden toys. The toys were particularly successful and the company adopted the name Lego in 1934. Lego means 'play well' from the Danish words 'Leg Godt'. In 1947 the company acquired a plastic injection moulding machine and made Automatic Binding Blocks in 1949. These were a forerunner of Lego which was officially launched in 1955. The stud and tube coupling system was patented in 1958.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 3 parts.

  • Construction Toys
  • Construction Toys
  • Construction Toys
TitleLEGO System (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Injection moulded plastic and cardboard
Brief description
Box of Lego System 219 containing plastic construction bricks, made by LEGO, Great Britain, 1960s.
Physical description
Cardboard box with 15 blue Lego pieces inside. On the cover of the box there is a picture of two children playing with Lego. On the other side blue and yellow bricks are depicted.
Dimensions
  • Length: 8.7cm
  • Width: 6cm
  • Height: 2.5cm
All dimensions given are of the box
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
'Lego Systems. 219'
Object history
Purchased along with another set of Lego bricks (B.63-2004), see purchase price
Summary
In 1932 Ole Kirk Christiansen, a carpenter and joiner, founded a business at Billund, Denmark, making ladders, ironing boards and wooden toys. The toys were particularly successful and the company adopted the name Lego in 1934. Lego means 'play well' from the Danish words 'Leg Godt'. In 1947 the company acquired a plastic injection moulding machine and made Automatic Binding Blocks in 1949. These were a forerunner of Lego which was officially launched in 1955. The stud and tube coupling system was patented in 1958.
Other number
219 - LEGO set number
Collection
Accession number
B.62:1-2004

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Record createdAugust 6, 2008
Record URL
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