Beginnings

• The Lego company was founded in 1932 by father-and-son carpenters Ole Kirk and Godtfred Kirk Christiansen.
  
  

The Name

• The name "Lego" is a composite of the Danish words "leg godt," which means "play well."
  
  

Fittings

• The company's famous "stud-and-tube" fitting system was patented in 1958. It made Lego models extremely stable and served as the basis for later success.
  
  

Combinations

• Lego bricks are popular in part because they foster children's imaginations. The company estimates that just six rectangular eight-stud bricks can be put together in more than 100 million combinations.
  
  

Tie-ins

• Lego toys have featured tie-ins from a number of other products, including the Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Batman franchises.