Toys and design · Denmark · 1891–1958
Ole Kirk Christiansen Life & Career Timeline
A Billund carpenter built a culture of quality, play and compatible bricks.
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18911901191119211931194119511958
OKOle Kirk ChristiansenToys and design · Denmark
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About this timeline
About Ole Kirk Christiansen
Ole Kirk Christiansen founded LEGO and guided its transition from carpentry and wooden toys to the plastic building system.
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Ole Kirk Christiansen biography
Ole Kirk Christiansen timeline: key events
Explore 18 documented Moments in chronological order. Read the dates, locations and source references below. Where available, additional context explains why a milestone matters.
Born near Filskov
Ole Kirk Christiansen was born into a farming family in central Jutland.
Source: www.lego.comBegins carpentry apprenticeship
He trained as a carpenter before working abroad.
Source: www.lego.comBuys Billund woodworking shop
Christiansen established the workshop that would become the LEGO Group.
Source: www.lego.comWorkshop fire and rebuilding
After a fire, he rebuilt a larger workshop and family home.
Source: www.lego.comBegins making wooden toys
During the Depression the workshop shifted toward toys, stepladders and household goods.
Source: www.lego.comThe LEGO name is chosen
The name was formed from the Danish words “leg godt”—play well.
Source: www.lego.comWooden duck enters production
Pull-along animals became enduring examples of the company’s early craftsmanship.
Source: www.lego.comOnly the best is good enough
Christiansen’s motto made product quality a defining company principle.
Source: www.lego.comFactory destroyed by fire
A second major fire destroyed the toy factory, which Christiansen again rebuilt.
Source: www.lego.comOrders plastic moulding machine
A demonstration convinced Christiansen to invest in plastics despite the new technology’s risks.
Source: www.lego.comPlastic production begins
LEGO became one of Denmark’s first toy manufacturers using injection moulding.
Source: www.lego.comAutomatic Binding Bricks
The company released interlocking plastic bricks, precursors of today’s LEGO brick.
Source: www.lego.comPlastic toys become central
The LEGO name was applied across the product line as plastic grew in importance.
Source: www.lego.comLEGO Mursten named
The bricks received a clearer Danish product identity and new packaging.
Source: www.lego.comIdea for a system of play
Godtfred Kirk Christiansen developed the concept of compatible toys forming a coherent system.
Source: www.lego.comLEGO System in Play launches
The Town Plan connected bricks, vehicles and play themes in one system.
Source: www.lego.comGodtfred becomes managing director
Ole Kirk transferred day-to-day leadership to his son.
Source: www.lego.comDies; brick patent filed
Weeks after Ole Kirk’s death, the modern stud-and-tube brick design was patented.
Source: www.lego.comThis educational timeline is not endorsed by or affiliated with Ole Kirk Christiansen or their representatives. Event text is original editorial copy based on the linked sources.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributor · Licence shown on source file
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About the Ole Kirk Christiansen timeline
Who is Ole Kirk Christiansen?
Ole Kirk Christiansen founded LEGO and guided its transition from carpentry and wooden toys to the plastic building system.
How many moments are included?
This public timeline currently contains 18 sourced moments spanning 1891–1958.
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This public timeline is created and maintained by Memmie Editorial Team. Schools, clubs and cultural organisations can apply to become timeline partners.
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