1 00:00:02,095 --> 00:00:05,003 You've probably seen one of these, 2 00:00:05,003 --> 00:00:06,034 a Lego Brick. 3 00:00:06,034 --> 00:00:08,079 But have you ever wondered how it all started 4 00:00:08,079 --> 00:00:10,071 and why it's called Lego? 5 00:00:10,071 --> 00:00:14,019 Actually, the name is much older than this plastic brick. 6 00:00:14,019 --> 00:00:15,056 Are you curious? 7 00:00:15,056 --> 00:00:18,021 Let me tell you how it all began. 8 00:00:18,021 --> 00:00:19,046 Many years ago 9 00:00:19,046 --> 00:00:24,036 there was a skilled and hard-working carpenter named Ole Kirk Christiansen. 10 00:00:24,036 --> 00:00:28,073 Ole was a respected carpenter with his own company, 11 00:00:28,073 --> 00:00:31,096 but times were hard. So he didn't have much money 12 00:00:31,096 --> 00:00:34,022 and had to dismiss his last worker. 13 00:00:39,008 --> 00:00:40,055 Ole: "Come on in". 14 00:00:40,055 --> 00:00:44,073 Worker: "I have closed down the workshop and packed my things". 15 00:00:44,073 --> 00:00:48,023 Ole: "Thank you. I suppose I'd better write you a paycheck". 16 00:00:56,065 --> 00:00:58,038 Ole: "Take care." 17 00:01:05,075 --> 00:01:08,015 Ole: "Well, that was the last one. 18 00:01:08,023 --> 00:01:12,020 I just didn't imagine that it would come to this". 19 00:01:12,029 --> 00:01:19,017 Wife: "I know. It's hard to understand, but at least now it can't get much worse." 20 00:01:19,028 --> 00:01:23,075 But it did get worse. Shortly after, Ole lost his wife. 21 00:01:24,028 --> 00:01:26,035 But Ole was a special person. 22 00:01:26,041 --> 00:01:28,029 He wasn't the type that gave up. 23 00:01:28,041 --> 00:01:32,078 And with the responsibility of his four sons, he had to think of something. 24 00:01:33,062 --> 00:01:35,043 Ole had gotten an idea 25 00:01:35,052 --> 00:01:39,023 and for him, it never took long to put an idea into action. 26 00:01:41,064 --> 00:01:47,035 Ole's little invention made his boys so happy that he thought maybe he should start making toys. 27 00:01:49,099 --> 00:01:52,005 Ole decided to give it a try. 28 00:01:52,005 --> 00:01:56,014 Luckily, he had saved up a lot of wood from the carpentry production. 29 00:01:56,022 --> 00:02:00,039 He could now use it to make toys. 30 00:02:00,039 --> 00:02:02,000 Time passed by 31 00:02:02,000 --> 00:02:07,025 and even though Ole was a skilled carpenter and had a good eye for quality and detail, 32 00:02:07,025 --> 00:02:09,074 sales were very slow. 33 00:02:09,074 --> 00:02:14,079 Luckily, one of his sons, Godtfred, started helping out his dad after school. 34 00:02:14,079 --> 00:02:18,032 Together, they just barely managed to keep up the production. 35 00:02:18,032 --> 00:02:26,026 Eventually, word began to spread that the wooden toys of the finest quality were being made from that little workshop in Billund. 36 00:02:26,026 --> 00:02:28,072 One day, a man drove into town. 37 00:02:28,072 --> 00:02:31,068 A man who would change Ole's future. 38 00:02:31,068 --> 00:02:34,034 He was a wholesaler from factory shop. 39 00:02:34,034 --> 00:02:38,027 'I heard that you are making some very nice wooden toys' 40 00:02:38,027 --> 00:02:40,022 Ole: 'Well, one does his best'. 41 00:02:40,022 --> 00:02:44,008 The wholesaler was very impressed with all the wooden toys. 42 00:02:44,008 --> 00:02:46,040 And placed update order before he left. 43 00:02:49,018 --> 00:02:52,096 Ole: 'Now there's finally someone who can see the opportunities and what we are doing' 44 00:02:52,096 --> 00:02:58,081 'Look at this. The wholesaler wants to put a lot of our toys into his store for the holidays 45 00:02:58,081 --> 00:03:01,064 it's going to be a good Christmas this year 46 00:03:01,064 --> 00:03:03,084 that will be busy". 47 00:03:03,084 --> 00:03:06,089 Now, there was a lot to do with the little workshop 48 00:03:06,089 --> 00:03:09,077 and Ole could rehire his former workers. 49 00:03:09,077 --> 00:03:12,040 Ole only used the highest quality wood 50 00:03:12,040 --> 00:03:15,097 which was hand-picked and very carefully prepared 51 00:03:15,097 --> 00:03:18,078 They worked day and night to get the order finished 52 00:03:18,078 --> 00:03:23,044 So the wholesaler could get the toys out in stores before Christmas. 53 00:03:25,029 --> 00:03:27,040 Godtfred: "Is there something wrong, Dad?" 54 00:03:27,043 --> 00:03:31,011 Ole: "I'm afraid that we are in big trouble". 55 00:03:31,053 --> 00:03:37,074 In the middle of their work, Ole received a letter saying that the wholesaler had filed for bankruptcy 56 00:03:37,074 --> 00:03:40,035 and couldn't buy the toys that he had ordered 57 00:03:40,081 --> 00:03:44,025 Godtfred: "What are you gonna do? What about Christmas? 58 00:03:44,025 --> 00:03:47,004 Now we can't even afford food?" 59 00:03:49,062 --> 00:03:50,088 Ole: "I'll do it". 60 00:03:50,088 --> 00:03:53,065 Godtfred: "What are you gonna do, Dad?" 61 00:03:53,065 --> 00:03:57,085 Ole: "I'll do it myself. I'll drive around selling the toys" 62 00:03:58,098 --> 00:04:04,081 There was no time to lose. Ole packed the car with all the toys and drove off. 63 00:04:05,011 --> 00:04:09,094 Ole was a very good toy-maker but was not a very good salesman. 64 00:04:09,094 --> 00:04:14,089 He didn't like praising himself or talking about how carefully the toys have been made 65 00:04:14,089 --> 00:04:16,075 but he had to keep trying 66 00:04:18,087 --> 00:04:24,002 Ole: "This is going to be a blast. Is there anything you were interested in?" 67 00:04:24,002 --> 00:04:30,063 'It looks exciting but i don't have a lot of money right now. Maybe we could trade in and call it even.' 68 00:04:30,063 --> 00:04:33,078 Ole: "Well, i would prefer money" 69 00:04:33,078 --> 00:04:35,020 'but' 70 00:04:35,020 --> 00:04:39,071 In the end, he succeeded in selling all the toys. 71 00:04:39,071 --> 00:04:47,021 He didn't receive as much money as he had hoped. But the family managed and they had plenty of food for Christmas 72 00:04:47,021 --> 00:04:49,018 Time passed by 73 00:04:49,018 --> 00:04:52,068 But the toys didn't sell as quickly as they had expected 74 00:04:52,068 --> 00:04:56,015 Ole thought perhaps the company needed a good name 75 00:04:57,019 --> 00:05:03,076 'What should it be? It has to be short word. I wanted to convey playing well' 76 00:05:03,088 --> 00:05:07,099 In Danish, `playing well` is called `LEG GODT` 77 00:05:08,048 --> 00:05:11,033 'What should it be? What should it be?' 78 00:05:12,013 --> 00:05:15,092 'If only i could get some sort of a sign' 79 00:05:19,075 --> 00:05:21,059 'LEGO' 80 00:05:21,059 --> 00:05:26,022 As you can see, Ole himself ended up finding a very suitable name. 81 00:05:26,027 --> 00:05:31,011 But what he didn't know was that in latin, the word 'LEGO' means 'I put together' 82 00:05:31,074 --> 00:05:34,037 The name 'LEGO' was well received. 83 00:05:34,063 --> 00:05:37,019 And the company slowly started to move forward. 84 00:05:37,029 --> 00:05:42,065 Godtfred: "We have made 3000 krones this year. And we have models than usual" 85 00:05:42,065 --> 00:05:48,049 Ole: "Did you say 3000 krones. Then you need to see what i've been looking at" 86 00:05:48,049 --> 00:05:52,084 Even though Godtfred wasn't comfortable spending money on a milling machine. 87 00:05:52,084 --> 00:05:57,027 He could see that it was useful and that the quality of the toys improved 88 00:05:57,027 --> 00:06:00,015 'Could you finish the last batch and get it ready for shipping?' 89 00:06:00,015 --> 00:06:01,027 'I will' 90 00:06:04,073 --> 00:06:08,066 'Dad.... dad, i received a lot of money for the company today' 91 00:06:08,066 --> 00:06:10,068 Ole: "Really? how?" 92 00:06:10,097 --> 00:06:15,049 Godtfred: "I figured we could save money in the locker. It's like only coated the duck twice instead of three times" 93 00:06:16,086 --> 00:06:18,043 Ole: "You what?" 94 00:06:18,043 --> 00:06:22,093 Unfortunately, Godtfred's idea didn't go over well with Ole. 95 00:06:22,093 --> 00:06:25,096 Ole made Godtfred unpacked all the ducks himself 96 00:06:25,096 --> 00:06:30,018 gave them the last layer of letter and bring them back to train station. 97 00:06:30,018 --> 00:06:34,056 Ole believes in high quality and not cheating his customers 98 00:06:34,065 --> 00:06:39,090 when Godtfred returned, Ole explained that wasn't the way to create a good brand. 99 00:06:39,090 --> 00:06:45,064 This little lesson opened Godtfred's eyes to the fact that every detail matters 100 00:06:45,064 --> 00:06:48,044 and only the best is good enough. 101 00:06:48,044 --> 00:06:54,040 In the late 1930s, LEGO was making a profit even when the second world war broke out. 102 00:06:54,040 --> 00:06:57,058 They tried to make the best out of a difficult time. 103 00:06:57,058 --> 00:07:00,023 It seemed nothing could go wrong. 104 00:07:00,023 --> 00:07:04,053 But a stormy night in 1942 changed their luck. 105 00:07:09,076 --> 00:07:13,040 'There's a fire. The workshop is on fire.' 106 00:07:15,078 --> 00:07:20,002 But when the firemen arrived, they were unable to save the workshop 107 00:07:20,002 --> 00:07:25,067 it burned to the ground and all the drawings and models were destroyed. 108 00:07:25,067 --> 00:07:27,089 Ole was beginning to lose hope. 109 00:07:27,089 --> 00:07:32,087 All that he had worked for was gone and he almost lost his company 110 00:07:32,087 --> 00:07:38,060 but being responsible for his children and workers inspired him to rebuild LEGO 111 00:07:38,060 --> 00:07:41,057 A new factory was constructed 112 00:07:41,057 --> 00:07:44,085 Soon the production of the wooden toys started again 113 00:07:44,085 --> 00:07:48,053 The little company fought it way back into the market 114 00:07:48,053 --> 00:07:55,007 Gradually, the LEGO factory began to run smoothly and Ole started looking for new challenges 115 00:07:55,007 --> 00:08:00,092 One day, he went to Copenhagen to look at a new machine that had just arrived in Denmark. 116 00:08:00,092 --> 00:08:06,037 It was a plastic moulding machine and Ole was very excited about it 117 00:08:06,037 --> 00:08:11,065 Ole: "Should we buy it? i'm sure it's a good bargain and it would give us a lot of opportunity" 118 00:08:11,065 --> 00:08:15,078 Godtfred: "Well, it does sound interesting but it is a lot of money" 119 00:08:15,078 --> 00:08:20,092 Ole: "I'll take that as a Yes" 120 00:08:20,092 --> 00:08:27,087 When the plastic moulding machine finally arrived, Ole started making little plastic teddy bears and letters. 121 00:08:27,087 --> 00:08:31,080 But he still had the plastic brick that he had received at the fair. 122 00:08:31,080 --> 00:08:35,055 There was something about that he couldn't stop thinking about. 123 00:08:35,055 --> 00:08:38,049 And even though no one else could see the potential in them. 124 00:08:38,049 --> 00:08:43,022 Ole decided to redesigned and put them into production. 125 00:08:45,001 --> 00:08:52,052 But it was when LEGO first launched the great Ferguson tractor, that the plastic toys became a success. 126 00:08:52,096 --> 00:08:56,025 Unfortunately the sales were dropped during the summer 127 00:08:56,025 --> 00:08:58,091 and the company had too many toys in stock. 128 00:08:58,091 --> 00:09:05,015 Godtfred: "This can't be right. Of course, our products can be sold the whole year, not only for Christmas" 129 00:09:05,042 --> 00:09:09,074 Godtfred decided that he would go out and sell the toys himself. 130 00:09:09,074 --> 00:09:15,008 Godtfred brought his wife as a company and moral support 131 00:09:15,008 --> 00:09:19,095 "If you can't ### We need butter and eggs" 132 00:09:21,049 --> 00:09:23,024 Well, it wasn't that bad. 133 00:09:23,024 --> 00:09:23,524 Godtfred was a success in his trip around the country which helped LEGO to get out of its financial crisis. 134 00:09:30,038 --> 00:09:34,007 They reached home just in time for Ole's birthday party. 135 00:09:34,007 --> 00:09:39,872 Ole turned 60 and the whole family was gathered to celebrate with him. 136 00:09:42,057 --> 00:09:45,232 Ole: "Well, it isn't ####" 137 00:09:45,232 --> 00:09:50,944 "Hey, I got an idea. Eh, listen. Listen. What about a picture with the three generations" 138 00:09:50,944 --> 00:09:57,678 Everyone thought that was a good idea. And we were placed on the sofa with all the presents and flowers around us. 139 00:09:58,616 --> 00:10:04,497 On a business trip to England, Godtfred met the head of a big shopping center on his way home. 140 00:10:04,497 --> 00:10:10,891 They discussed the toy industry. And the conversation would be very important to the future of LEGO. 141 00:10:10,891 --> 00:10:15,279 "Damn that industry. I just think that toys are no good nowadays" 142 00:10:15,279 --> 00:10:18,569 Godtfred: "What do you mean? I think they are working very well". 143 00:10:18,569 --> 00:10:22,934 "Oh, they work fine. Sure, but there's no system in anything" 144 00:10:22,934 --> 00:10:26,198 Godtfred: "System?". 145 00:10:26,198 --> 00:10:30,424 Godtfred: "System? Hmm. There isn't any system". 146 00:10:30,424 --> 00:10:33,367 Ole: "What in the world are you doing, Godtfred?" 147 00:10:33,367 --> 00:10:35,237 Godtfred: "There isn't any system. 148 00:10:35,237 --> 00:10:38,767 The toys need an idea and a system built around it. 149 00:10:38,767 --> 00:10:44,850 I want to put system in the play. Children have only been offered ready-made solutions. 150 00:10:44,850 --> 00:10:49,773 They need something different that will strengthen their imagination and creativity". 151 00:10:49,773 --> 00:10:54,742 Ole: "So, you are trying to put LEGO into a system? Interesting". 152 00:10:54,742 --> 00:11:00,146 That same year, LEGO started producing the first LEGO system of play. 153 00:11:00,146 --> 00:11:03,089 Children could now build houses from the LEGO bricks. 154 00:11:03,089 --> 00:11:09,806 The town planned gave play a realistic town setting and with this, children learned about traffic safety. 155 00:11:09,806 --> 00:11:13,705 My sister and I could play with the new LEGO system for hours. 156 00:11:13,705 --> 00:11:16,974 Some people said we were the luckiest children in the world. 157 00:11:16,974 --> 00:11:19,587 Because we grew up in a toy factory. 158 00:11:19,587 --> 00:11:21,711 It was a huge breakthrough. 159 00:11:21,711 --> 00:11:25,626 And Godtfred decided to try selling it outside of Denmark. 160 00:11:25,626 --> 00:11:30,641 The system of play was so popular that they managed to sell it to many countries. 161 00:11:32,564 --> 00:11:34,855 "Look what I just built". 162 00:11:34,855 --> 00:11:37,072 "That is really nice, Cal". 163 00:11:37,072 --> 00:11:43,109 Even though LEGO was meant for only building houses, there was still a lot of opportunities. 164 00:11:43,109 --> 00:11:45,074 There was just one problem. 165 00:11:45,150 --> 00:11:50,090 "Hmm, I can't lift it up. It keeps falling apart". 166 00:11:50,290 --> 00:11:56,818 That made Godtfred wondered. He wanted to find a way to make the LEGO bricks stick together. 167 00:11:56,818 --> 00:11:59,206 But that was easier said than done. 168 00:11:59,206 --> 00:12:04,778 Godtfred noticed that the LEGO bricks got a better clutch powers with tooth inside. 169 00:12:04,778 --> 00:12:11,063 Now, it was no longer just bricks but a whole construction system with endless possibilities. 170 00:12:11,063 --> 00:12:14,298 This was ground breaking for the LEGO product. 171 00:12:14,298 --> 00:12:21,001 With a child's imagination, LEGO could be anything in the world over and over again. 172 00:12:21,001 --> 00:12:23,675 The imagination is the limit. 173 00:12:24,413 --> 00:12:27,712 "Look, Dad. Now, I can build everything" 174 00:12:27,712 --> 00:12:34,678 Unfortunately, Ole never got to see how successful the little bricks actually became. 175 00:12:34,678 --> 00:12:42,776 Godtfred was left on his own and he had to go through another fire at LEGO that destroyed most of the wood production. 176 00:12:42,776 --> 00:12:50,004 Just like his father, Godtfred knew that he had to try to get the best out of any situation and never give up. 177 00:12:50,004 --> 00:12:53,782 Godtfred took the hard times with his head held high. 178 00:12:53,782 --> 00:12:56,985 As sales grew, the company also got bigger. 179 00:12:56,985 --> 00:13:05,826 He had to think ahead and he decided not to resume the production of wooden toys and to only focus on the LEGO system. 180 00:13:05,826 --> 00:13:12,932 And it turned out to be great decision. Many new models were built and LEGO got stronger in the toy industry. 181 00:13:12,932 --> 00:13:17,787 Staff: "Sir, which one of these do you think is the best?" 182 00:13:17,787 --> 00:13:21,161 Godtfred: "Hmmm, Err, that one". 183 00:13:21,161 --> 00:13:25,806 Even though it got busier at LEGO, Godtfred still had bigger plans. 184 00:13:25,806 --> 00:13:28,220 Now, he wanted to build an airport. 185 00:13:28,220 --> 00:13:32,307 So, it would be easier to sell his toys to the whole world. 186 00:13:32,307 --> 00:13:34,430 Like father, like son. 187 00:13:34,430 --> 00:13:37,323 It didn't take long to put his ideas into action. 188 00:13:37,323 --> 00:13:41,843 Only three years later, Billund airport was opened. 189 00:13:41,843 --> 00:13:48,733 Then many guests and business connections who visited the company always wanted to see their modeling department. 190 00:13:48,733 --> 00:13:53,935 Gradually, it got so crowded that it was hard for the employees to keep up their work. 191 00:13:53,935 --> 00:13:56,362 Godtfred: "I think we'd better wait a while". 192 00:13:56,362 --> 00:13:59,241 Godtfred could see that something had to be done. 193 00:13:59,241 --> 00:14:04,207 He needed a bigger place to display the LEGO models. 194 00:14:05,853 --> 00:14:12,772 Employee: "Er, I don't want to interrupt. So, I'll just put this package of our new LEGO train on the table". 195 00:14:12,772 --> 00:14:14,819 Godtfred: "Jut put it there". 196 00:14:15,681 --> 00:14:20,716 The idea grew quickly from an exhibition room to an amusement park. 197 00:14:20,716 --> 00:14:31,705 Godtfred: "And then, we could have a tower so you could look over the whole park from above, the whole town. It would be land made out of LEGO, LEGO land". 198 00:14:31,705 --> 00:14:36,365 "Well then, it looks interesting. But how many visitors are you actually counting on?" 199 00:14:36,365 --> 00:14:40,964 "Well, i guess eh two hundred three hundred thousand". 200 00:14:40,964 --> 00:14:43,070 "Three hundred thousand?" 201 00:14:43,070 --> 00:14:48,456 Even though it sounded like a lot, my dad was actually pretty far off the mark. 202 00:14:48,456 --> 00:14:52,927 There were six hundred thousand guests the very first year. 203 00:14:52,927 --> 00:14:56,026 My family and I were there to greet the guests. 204 00:14:56,026 --> 00:14:59,576 We've kept up this tradition ever since. 205 00:15:02,930 --> 00:15:05,938 Now, you know how it all began. 206 00:15:06,030 --> 00:15:13,315 LEGO wouldn't be what it is today if it hadn't been for my grandfather's sense of quality and search for profession. 207 00:15:13,502 --> 00:15:18,243 My father firmly believed in the endless possibilities of the LEGO system. 208 00:15:18,243 --> 00:15:21,263 I seek to take the LEGO idea even further. 209 00:15:21,263 --> 00:15:29,002 Encouraging children to explore, experience and express their own world, a world without limit. 210 00:15:29,002 --> 00:15:36,485 And we are still convince that only the best is good enough because children deserve the best.