The Man Behind the Bricks: Who Was Ole Kirk Christiansen?
Before LEGO became one of the most iconic toy brands in the world, it was just a dream in the hands of a humble Danish carpenter. Ole Kirk Christiansen, born in 1891 in Filskov, Denmark, started out as a skilled woodworker. After losing his job during the Great Depression, he pivoted to crafting wooden toys in his workshop in Billund—a move that would unknowingly lay the first brick in a global empire.
Who Invented the First LEGO?
Ole Kirk Christiansen founded LEGO in 1932, originally producing wooden toys, ladders, and household goods to make ends meet. In 1934, he coined the name "LEGO" from the Danish phrase leg godt, meaning "play well."
The real transformation came in the late 1940s, when LEGO began experimenting with plastic. In 1949, the company introduced the first plastic “Automatic Binding Bricks,” inspired by a British invention. But it was Ole’s son, Godtfred Kirk Christiansen, who perfected the modern LEGO brick in 1958, securing a patent for the now-famous stud-and-tube interlocking system that defines LEGO today.
Though Ole didn’t live to see LEGO's global success (he passed away in 1958), he laid the foundation—both literally and figuratively—for one of the most beloved toy companies in the world.
Who Owns LEGO Now?
Despite its size, LEGO remains a family affair. The company is privately owned by KIRKBI A/S, the holding and investment company controlled by the descendants of Ole Kirk Christiansen. His grandson, Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen, served as CEO for decades and is still deeply involved with LEGO’s direction today.
In addition to KIRKBI’s 75% stake, 25% of the company is owned by the LEGO Foundation, which works to promote learning through play around the globe.
Related: From Wooden Ducks to World Domination: How LEGO Built an Empire Brick by Brick
Related: Inside LEGO's Leadership: CEO Niels Christiansen
A Legacy That Snapped into Place
From wooden ducks to billion-dollar building sets, the story of LEGO begins with a man who refused to give up during hard times. Ole Kirk Christiansen may have started with sawdust and simple dreams, but he ended up creating a brand that would inspire the imagination of millions of children—and adults—for generations.
