The name ‘LEGO’ is an abbreviation of the two Danish words “leg godt”, meaning “play well”. It’s our name and it’s our ideal.

The LEGO Group was founded in 1932 by Ole Kirk Kristiansen. The company has passed from father to son and is now owned by Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen, a grandchild of the founder.

Visit the LEGO History website

On February 1, 1916, at the age of 24, Ole Kirk Kristiansen buys Billund Joinery for DKK 10,000. The factory makes doors, windows, kitchen cabinets, cupboards, coffins, chests of drawers, tools for digging peat, and bodywork for carts. All of first-class quality, which is important to Ole Kirk Kristiansen. Gradually the business broadens its scope and tackles bigger projects. Ole Kirk Kristiansen’s work includes building a new gallery for Grene Church outside Billund, several farmhouses, agricultural buildings, mission halls, Billund Co‑operative Dairy, a parsonage, and a number of dwellinghouses.