Contents A Famous Toymaker Is Born Ole Builds His Life Life Isn’t Always Easy 4 6 8 The First LEGO Toys 10 Plastic Classics Life of a LEGO Brick A New Name and a New System 12 14 16 The Family Business 18 A True Game Changer 20 Rebuilding the LEGO Brand The Future Lab The Kristiansen Family Today 22 24 26 Timeline 28 Glossary 30 Websites 31 Index 32
Chapter 1 A Famous A Famous A Famous A Famous A Famous Toymaker Is Born Toymaker Is Born Ole Kirk Christiansen was born on April 7 1891 in the village of Filskov Denmark He was the tenth child of Jens and Kirstine Christiansen The Christiansens had little money Jens worked on a nearby farm while Kirstine took care of the family But these humble beginnings led to great success Ole would grow up to create the LEGO empire Like most children in rural Denmark Ole and his siblings worked very hard They helped run the family farm However education was important to their parents Jens and Kirstine wanted all of their children to learn to read and write So at age six Ole started going to school twice a week When not in school Ole tended livestock To pass the time he carved small wooden figures These wooden carvings were some of his only toys Ole never expected he would become a famous toymaker 4
Farming was one of Denmark’s largest industries when Ole was growing up 5
