The History and Evolution of the Lego Logo

LEGO is a popular toy manufacturer that was established in 1932 in Denmark. It is known all over the world for its colourful construction sets comprising “locking bricks” and famed Minifigures. The Danish company also has a few theme parks called LEGOLANDS in various countries.

The LEGO logo is one of the most recognisable symbols in the world. It represents a brand that has captivated the imaginations of children and adults alike for decades. The evolution of the LEGO logo reflects changes in design trends and shifts in the company’s identity and product offerings. The article delves into the evolution of the LEGO logo over the years.

The Genesis of the Lego Logo (1934 – 1936)

The earliest official LEGO logo dates back to 1934, which featured the brand name “LEGO” in a simple, serif font in black. This logo was used primarily for business correspondence and did not appear on products. It was characterised by thick vertical bars and playful diagonal serifs and embodied a vibrant yet straightforward design. This initial logo lasted until 1936, when LEGO began branding its toys directly.

(1936 – 1946)

In 1936, LEGO redesigned its logo to fit on the wooden toys it produced. This version featured an italicised brand name in fine lines and flanked by two parallel horizontal lines. And between the lines, the wordmark “Fabriken Billund,” highlighting the origins of the company in Billund, Denmark, was placed.

Further, the Danish phrase,” FABRIK FOR TRÆVARER OG LEGETØJ, was placed below the brand name to signify the speciality of the brand in designing wooden toys. The logo iteration was modest and simple and reflected the early focus of the company on wooden toys. This logo remained until 1946.

(1946 – 1948)

The first colourful version of the LEGO logo emerged in 1946, which incorporated an orange and black colour palette to symbolise happiness and energy. This text-based logo iteration introduced a more modern aesthetic with a clean sans-serif typeface for “LEGO” and a cursive “Klodster” or blocks/bricks in Danish language beneath it. This logo was used during the transition of the company into producing plastic toys.

(1946 – 1950)

Another logo was introduced in the year 1946, and it featured a dimensional design to give the illusion of depth. Here, the wordmark was placed on a brown and black pedestal to resemble a toy package. At the bottom of the wordmark was mentioned “BILLUND DENMARK,” against a red background, which declared the brand’s heritage. The colours used for the logo include rich yellows and reds contrasted against a darker outline. The logo was used only for the wooden toys even after the introduction of the first plastic toy by the brand.

(1948 – 1950)

In 1948, a logo variant was conceived to represent the LEGO products comprising plastic prefabricated blocks. Here, the brand name was enclosed within a black oval and placed diagonally. It seemed the brand name jumped off the page in bold yellow letters with white accents. The logo belonged to the era when the company began to gravitate towards manufacturing plastic interlocking bricks, which remains the mainstay of the company even today. The logo gets a dynamic and energetic look, thanks to the contrast of the yellow letters against the black oval.

(1950 – 1953)

In the early 1950s, LEGO came out with a logo variant to celebrate its shift towards plastic bricks. Here, the stylised and elongated brand name in bold red appeared at the centre of a striking circular emblem with a white background. On the top and bottom perimeter of the circular emblem in black were written “BILLUND” and “DANMARK” in white to represent the brand’s hometown and Danish heritage.

The logo showed the transition of LEGO toys from using wood to plastics. The black colour of the circular perimeter reflected the brand’s strength, while the red colour showed the brand’s love and expertise for creativity and design.

(1952 – 1953)

The 1952 logo redesign featured the brand name in uppercase and executed in a geometric sans-serif typeface. It showed massive capital letters in solid red set against a white background.

(1953 – 1955)

In the 1953 follow-up logo iteration, the brand name was depicted in elongated letters in a red colour palette with white outlines and set against a yellow rectangular emblem.

(1953 – 1954)

In 1953-54, the brand came out with the so-called sausage logo published in the LEGO Mursten catalogue. It featured the brand name in a playful bubble font and placed within a dark red vertical oval. The letters were italicised and rendered in capitals. To ensure a better contrast, the letters were written in white with black outlines. Behind the brand name appeared a horizontal white line showing medium-sized round dots at both ends.

(1954 – 1955)

This particular logo iteration was unveiled in 1955 at the world’s largest international toy fair in Nurnberg. It was similar to the previous iteration but sported bolder letters with thick black outlines that touched other letters. The horizontal line at the back and the end round dots were enlarged and displayed in black. Besides, the shape of the background oval was changed to a narrow ellipse. Also, the base colour of the ellipse was changed to scarlet red.

(1955 – 1959)

In 1955, LEGO adopted a horizontal oval logo with a red background and white capital letters of the brand name outlined in black. This design included a distinctive feature that resembled a dog bone or button, which added uniqueness to the branding. It evolved from the previous design and featured a black strip with two black circles at the ends. This oval logo saw several iterations until it was phased out in favour of more structured designs.

(1959 – 1960)

In the 1959 version, the logo was updated to its classic form, and the word “SYSTEM” was added to the bottom of the brand name in white capitals. Rendered in a geometric sans-serif typeface, the word complemented the simplicity and focus of the logo. It symbolised the interconnected and comprehensive aspect of the LEGO play system. Further, the word “SYSTEM” underscored LEGO’s commitment to providing a play experience that could be scaled up in limitless ways.

(1960 – 1964)

By 1960, the logo evolved again to include the word “System” in cursive yellow beneath “LEGO.” The background transitioned from an oval to a rectangular shape and included four colours: red, white, black, and yellow. This change reflected LEGO’s growing product range and commitment to systematic play.

(1964 – 1972)

In 1964, the rectangular format transformed into squares, with “LEGO System” prominently displayed. This version featured several vertical stripes in multiple colours representing the diversity of LEGO bricks available at the time. It emphasised playfulness and creativity and aligned with the brand’s identity as a toy manufacturer.

(1972 – 1998)

The logo underwent another significant redesign in 1972, where the colourful vertical stripes were removed. The new design featured the brand name in white with a double black and yellow outline placed on a red square background. The letters of the brand name were rendered using a bold, rounded, sans-serif font. This iteration marked the strengthening of LEGO’s brand identity that would remain largely unchanged for decades.

(1998 – Present)

The most recent major logo update occurred in 1998 when subtle changes were made to enhance visibility and modernise the look. The black outline of the letters and the square became thicker, and the word “LEGO” leaned slightly to the right. However, the red, white, black, and yellow colour palette from the previous iteration was retained. These adjustments aimed to maintain relevance in an evolving market while preserving brand recognition.

The Elements of the Lego Logo

Font

LEGO is known for its unique logo font, which was custom-designed exclusively for the brand and is not available for purchase. However, LEGO websites and apps utilise Open Sans, which is a modern, easy-to-read typeface that is both widely used and free.

When it came to fans, a few enthusiasts have developed a typeface called LegoThick. Inspired by the iconic LEGO logo, LegoThick replicates the bold and playful style of the original text. It has become a favourite among fans for LEGO-themed designs and personal projects. While LegoThick closely resembles the LEGO logo, it is an unofficial font created as a tribute by fans and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the LEGO Group.

Colour

Since 1960, the Lego logo has featured a combination of white, yellow, red, and black. This colour palette is intended to reflect the primary colours of Lego bricks.

The History of Lego

LEGO is one of the most iconic and beloved toy brands in the world, with a rich history that dates back to the early 20th century. The company was founded in 1932 by Ole Kirk Christiansen, who was a Danish carpenter in the small town of Billund, Denmark. Initially, Christiansen focused on making wooden toys, household items, and furniture. However, in 1934, he named his company “LEGO,” which was derived from the Danish words “leg godt,” meaning “play well.” Interestingly, “LEGO” also means “I put together” in Latin, which later proved fitting for the company’s products.

In 1947, LEGO began experimenting with plastic materials and became one of the first toy manufacturers to do so. By 1949, the company introduced its first interlocking plastic bricks, called “Automatic Binding Bricks.” These early designs were inspired by Kiddicraft Self-Locking Bricks, which was a product patented in the United Kingdom.

In 1958, LEGO patented the modern brick design with its signature interlocking studs and tubes, which provided enhanced stability. This design allowed the bricks to connect firmly and remain versatile and formed the foundation of the LEGO building system we know today. Remarkably, bricks made since 1958 remain compatible with modern LEGO sets.

LEGO saw rapid growth in the 1960s and 1970s by expanding its product lines to include themed sets, vehicles, and figures. The first LEGO wheels were introduced in 1961, which further broadened the possibilities for creative play. In 1978, LEGO debuted its iconic Minifigure to feature a movable head, arms, and legs. These figures became a defining feature of LEGO sets and allowed for more storytelling and imaginative play.

The company continued its expansion into new markets by opening factories and offices worldwide. By the 1980s, LEGO had established itself as a global leader in the toy industry. The 1990s and 2000s saw LEGO diversify its offerings through digital platforms, video games, and theme parks. In 1998, LEGO introduced robotics and programming called LEGO Mindstorms to LEGO sets, which appealed to both kids and educators.

The LEGO Group also collaborated with major franchises to release sets based on popular themes such as Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Marvel Super Heroes. These partnerships boosted LEGO’s popularity and kept the brand relevant in a rapidly evolving market. Despite its success, LEGO faced financial difficulties in the early 2000s due to overexpansion and high production costs. However, the company rebounded by refocusing on its core products, simplifying designs, and embracing digital trends.

The release of The LEGO Movie in 2014 was a cultural phenomenon. It revitalised the brand and introduced LEGO to new audiences. Today, LEGO continues to innovate with sets designed for all ages, from preschoolers to adult fans of LEGO (AFOLs). The company focuses on sustainability and pledges to make its products entirely from sustainable materials by 2030. With its timeless appeal and commitment to creativity, LEGO remains one of the most recognisable and cherished brands worldwide. It is inspiring generations of kids and adults to build, play, and imagine.

Interesting Facts About Lego

The name “LEGO” is derived from the Danish words “leg godt,” which mean “play well.” This reflects the company’s mission to encourage imaginative play among children.
LEGO was founded in 1932 by Ole Kirk Christiansen in Billund, Denmark. Initially, the company produced wooden toys before transitioning to plastic bricks in the late 1940s. Today, the company is owned by Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen, the grandchild of the founder.
The modern LEGO brick design was patented on January 28, 1958, by Godtfred Kirk, the son of the founder, Ole Kirk Kristiansen.
This design features interlocking studs and tubes, which allows for greater stability and versatility in building. Remarkably, LEGO bricks made today can still connect with those produced over 50 years ago.
LEGO toys are great for autistic children, as their structured play helps such children to develop attributes such as verbal and nonverbal communication, teamwork, and sharing.
LEGO stopped making wooden toys in 1960.
In 2000, LEGO became the “Toy of the Century” by beating Teddy Bear and Barbie Doll.
Till date, there are no LEGO sets that focus directly on war. This is due to the fact that the founder, Ole Kirk Christianson, didn’t want war to become attractive to children.
LEGO makes tiny rubber tyres for its cars, which totals 306 million. This makes LEGO the biggest tyre manufacturer in the world, even more than the actual tyre manufacturers.
Antonio Toscano, the artist, recreated a shot-for-shot trailer for the movie Fifty Shades of Grey with LEGO.
LEGO manufactures approximately 20 billion elements (bricks and other parts) annually, which translates to about 2 million elements every hour.
Some LEGO toys are tested in a sauna to ascertain their structural integrity.
Batman is the most common fictional character to be created using LEGO sets. In fact, around 20,000 such LEGO sets have been released to date in 87 different variants.
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Star Wars, a few 14-karat gold C-3PO figures using LEGO were created. Some of these are still available on eBay for $200K.
LEGO bricks have been used to create a version of the Bible by Elbe Spurling in 2001.
The biggest sculpture ever made of LEGO bricks is that of the replica of Tower Bridge. It was created for the Land Rover Company to launch its Discovery car. Using 5.8 million bricks, this sculpture broke the Guinness World Record.
There are around 400 billion LEGO bricks in existence worldwide. If these bricks were distributed evenly, every person on Earth would have at least 50 bricks.
Since their introduction in 1978, over 4 billion LEGO Minifigures have been produced. These made them the world’s largest population group.
In 1978, the first LEGO Minifigure happened to be a police officer, which was part of the LEGO “Town” theme.
The tallest LEGO tower ever built stands at over 35 meters (114 feet) tall and was constructed using approximately 550,000 bricks in Italy in 2015.
Kyle Ugone holds the Guinness World Record for having the maximum number of LEGO Minifigures—9,079.
LEGO has become the second biggest toy maker after Mattel as of September 2014.
Most LEGO heads do not feature noses to ensure the facial graphics remain as clean as possible.
There are several theme parks for LEGO called LEGOLAND, the first of which was opened in Billund, Denmark, in 1968. And after 2002, 10 other LEGOLANDs were opened in Germany, the UK, Italy, and the USA (Florida, California, and New York).
To reach the moon using LEGO bricks, you would need about 40 billion bricks. This demonstrates just how many of these pieces exist.
The plural of LEGO is “LEGO.”
Frederik Magle composed a symphony for an orchestra called LEGO Fantasia. It was commissioned by the LEGO Group and was introduced in 1997 with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Also, in 2002, a music video was released by the White Stripes for their song “Fell in Love with a Girl” using LEGO bricks.
Kobe Bryant of the NBA was the first real person to be made into a LEGO Minifigure in 2003.
During Christmas, about 28 LEGO sets are sold every second.
There are 20 LEGO certified artists all over the world. These artists are from America, Europe, the Middle East, and East Asia.
In 2009, James May from Surrey, UK, created the first full-sized LEGO house using 3.3 million bricks. The house had a shower, a toilet, and a bed.
LEGO Taj Mahal was the largest LEGO set to be ever sold with 5,922 pieces.
LEGOs have found mention in popular television shows such as The Simpsons, Happy Endings, MythBusters, and Arrested Development.
About 86% of LEGO Minifigures are male.
Research has shown that there are over 900 million ways to combine a LEGO set comprising 6 pieces of 8-stud LEGO bricks.
The LEGO motto is “Only the best is good enough.”
The moulds used to produce LEGO bricks are incredibly precise, with tolerances of just 0.002 mm. This ensures high quality and consistency across all products.
LEGO has expanded beyond toys into various media, including movies like “The LEGO Movie,” video games, and theme parks such as LEGOLAND.
If the number of LEGO bricks were laid end to end, they would cover more than five times around the world.
The adult fan community is significant, with many enthusiasts engaging in complex builds and custom creations. This showcased that LEGO is not just for children but for all ages.
There are 4 billion LEGO Minifigures made since 1978, which makes them double the population of China. In other words, if LEGO Minifigures were real people, they would be the largest population in the world.

Finally

The LEGO logo and its various iterations show changes in design aesthetics and the journey of the company from a small wooden toy manufacturer to a global leader in creative play. Each logo iteration has built upon its predecessors while adapting to new markets and consumer expectations. Today, the LEGO logo stands as an enduring symbol of creativity and innovation in the world of children’s toys worldwide.