201.EN-We All Know; LEGO -History
Hello, today I thought about how LEGO toys started and how they developed and became this way. That's why I researched a little bit of its history and wanted to share it with you. We have all met LEGO toys in some way in our lives, so I hope this will be an entertaining article.
1. Lego Toys: History of Colored Bricks
[Image 1] LEGO first production line https://www.firstversions.com/2015/05/lego.html
Lego is a popular toy brand that develops the imagination of children around the world and offers a fun play experience. Lego bricks have continually evolved over time, attracting the attention of millions of children and adults. Here is the historical development of Lego toys:
- First Steps (1932-1949): The foundations of Lego were laid by Ole Kirk Christiansen in Denmark in 1932. Originally a workshop producing wooden toys, the company took the name "Lego" in 1934. However, injection molded toys, the forerunner of modern Lego bricks, were introduced in 1949.
[Image2] Lego History https://www.tipsandbricks.co.uk/post/323-tips-a-timeline-of-lego-history-part-1
- Birth of Modern Bricks (1958): Lego developed the modern brick design in 1958. This design is known for its locking system, which is still used today, and allows different parts to be brought together to create various structures.
[Image 3] First LEGO Bricks, Patented , https://www.firstversions.com/2015/05/lego.html
- Lego Minifigures (1978): Lego introduced "Minifigures", tiny plastic figures, in 1978. This was a step that further enriched the Lego universe and personalized the gaming experience.
[Image 4] 1978, First Minifigures https://www.toypro.com/no/news/806/lego-history-the-minifigure
- Thematic Sets and Licensed Products (1980s-1990s): Lego increased its diversity with thematic sets and licensed products starting in the 1980s. Space stations, cityscapes and movie-themed sets demonstrated Lego's ability to adapt to a variety of concepts.
[Image 4] LEGO first Thematic Sets; https://www.lego.com/en-us
- Digital Transformation (since the 2000s): Keeping up with the digital age, Lego began to have a presence in the gaming world with video games and digital products such as Lego Digital Designer. It has also focused on the STEM field with robotic products such as Lego Mindstorms.
[Image 5] Lego Mindstroms , https://www.lego.com/en-us
- Film and Animation (2010s): Lego also had great success in the cinema world with "The Lego Movie" and its sequels. These films revived the Lego universe and increased the popularity of the brand.
LEGO Movie Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZ_JOBCLF-I
Today, Lego offers millions of different sets and themes around the world. Colorful bricks have gained a unique place in the world of games by helping children develop their creativity and problem-solving skills for generations.
2. Lego Types
[All pictures https://www.lego.com/en-us taken from the site. ]
Classic Lego Bricks: Basic Lego toys consist of colorful plastic bricks. These bricks allow children to use their imagination to build their own creative structures.
Lego DUPLO: A line of large, colorful bricks designed for young children. DUPLO focuses on large pieces so that smaller hands can easily grasp them.
Lego Technic: This series includes more complex parts such as gears, shafts and motors. These sets teach children how machines work and basic engineering principles.
Lego City: Sets designed in the city theme. Includes police stations, fire trucks, airports and other city elements.
Lego Star Wars: Sets produced by Lego under the Star Wars license. Features iconic Star Wars characters and spaceships.
Lego Ninjago: A theme revolving around Lego's own created ninja characters. Ninjago features a variety of warriors, dragons and fantasy elements.
Lego Friends: Sets designed especially for girls. These sets often include houses, cafes, and other social settings.
Lego Architecture: Contains sets that imitate famous architectural works. These sets offer children the opportunity to recognize and build iconic structures from different parts of the world.
Lego Creator: This series features versatile pieces that can build different figures or structures with one set.
Lego Mindstorms: This set, containing programmable bricks and sensors, aims to teach children basic robotics and coding skills.
These are just a few examples; Lego's assortment is constantly expanding and new themes are being added. There are also licensed sets produced in association with specific films, books or events. Lego's wide product range appeals to different interests, ensuring that everyone can find a set that suits their taste.
3. Some benefits of Lego on children:
[Image 6] Lego and the Kids , https://www.lego.com/en-us
Improves Creativity: Lego allows children to develop their imagination and creativity. Children can create unique structures by creating their own designs and combining different parts. Increases
Problem-Solving Skills: Lego toys can help children solve problems and develop logical thinking skills. Building a structure by combining different parts strengthens children's analytical thinking abilities.
Improves Motor Skills: The process of assembling Lego bricks helps children develop hand-eye coordination, finger muscles and fine motor skills. Promotes Collaboration and Communication: Sharing and working together with Lego sets teaches children collaboration and communication skills. Building a structure as a group helps children understand the value of working together.
Increases Engineering and Science Awareness: Sets like Lego Technic can teach children basic engineering and science concepts. With items such as gears, mechanisms, and motors, children can understand how simple machines work.
Develops Focus and Patience: Completing a Lego set requires children to show focus and patience. Persistence in the face of adversity can give children a sense of accomplishment and the ability to achieve long-term goals.
Increases Social Skills: Lego toys allow children to play and share with their friends. This can contribute to the development of social skills.
Promotes Fun Learning: Lego offers an interactive platform that makes learning fun and engaging. Children acquire knowledge while playing and apply the subjects they learn in practice.
In summary; More than just a fun play tool, Lego toys are considered a versatile and educational tool that helps children develop a wide range of skills and abilities.
4. Things to consider when we talk about Lego and Children
Swallowing Small Parts or Getting Into the Trachea: Despite large pieces such as Lego DUPLO designed for young children, some Lego pieces can be small and can be dangerous if swallowed or get into the trachea. Therefore, care should be taken when playing with young children and it is important to keep small parts out of reach.
Risk of Injury: Pointed or sharp-edged parts can cause accidental cuts or stings during careless play. Young children, in particular, should be careful when playing with Lego pieces and use sets designed for the appropriate age group.
Dangerous Assemblies and Structures: Some children may be at risk when trying to build structures in certain shapes. For example, unstable structures such as stairs or tall structures can increase children's risk of falling.
Swallowing Electronic Parts: Small electronic parts found in Lego Mindstorms and similar sets can be accidentally swallowed by children. This can lead to serious health problems, so these sets are more suitable for use by older and responsible children or adults, and not by young children.
Use of Alcohol-Based Cleaners: Some Lego sets may contain alcohol-based cleaners to clean models or avoid dissolving parts. It is important to store such cleaners out of reach of children and pay attention to their use. For this reason, it is important to pay attention to the age restrictions stated on the LEGO boxes and/or ensure that our child plays under adult supervision at least until his/her ability to learn the risks develops.
Despite these potential risks, Lego toys are generally considered safe and can help children develop their creativity, problem-solving skills, and hand-eye coordination.
5. Conclusion
Lego is a unique building toy system that takes our imagination beyond limits with its colorful blocks. Lego, which first entered our lives in the mid-20th century, has gone beyond being just an entertaining play tool for children.
Lego has a number of positive effects on child development. First, these building blocks are an excellent tool for developing dexterity and increasing fine motor abilities. Children strengthen their problem-solving skills as they put together Lego pieces of different shapes and sizes. Lego is also a platform that supports creativity. Children can freely use their imagination without limitation as they are faced with endless possibilities, such as building their dream houses or designing their own vehicles. Additionally, special themes and characters included in Lego sets allow children to develop story-making and role-playing skills.
Time spent with Lego is not only a fun pastime, it also hosts special memories shared with family and friends. Completing a Lego set together provides a collaborative and sharing experience between children and adults. Lego is a tool that strengthens intergenerational bonds, encourages learning and supports families coming together. In conclusion, Lego is not only a fun play tool for children, but also a toy system that offers an educational and creative experience. While these colorful blocks contribute positively to children's development, they also become part of pleasant memories shared among family and friends. Lego is a playmate that keeps imagination alive, develops problem-solving skills and is the architect of unforgettable memories.
In summary, we have provided information about the historical development of LEGO, the benefits of popular sets for children, and things to pay attention to during the game. As a LEGO lover and father, I request you to share in the comments your favorite LEGO types for us, children and adults. Maybe you will cause our new undiscovered LEGO adventure :)
I hope it was a useful and entertaining sharing, stay with love.
Yu.ETh 16.01.2024
