LEGEND
OLE KIRK KRISTIANSEN
Job Title : Founder Company : LEGO Group
Re-Defining Play , Re-Imagining Learning
In his early years , LEGO founder Ole Kirk Kristiansen faced his fair share of challenging crises and misfortunes , some of which had him on the verge of hanging in the towel .
What today has been named ‘ toy of the century ’ twice could have been a footnote in history . But how did it all start ?
1916 , aged 24 , Kristiansen brought Billurd Joinery kick-starting his career in carpentry and joinery . For many years , Kristiansen tried his hand at the industry , transitioning from the likes of doors , windows , and agricultural tools , to building larger projects such as churches , houses and farm buildings , his dedication to first-class quality craftsmanship driving him .
Born
1891
Died
1958
However , in 1929 the Wall Street stock market crashed . With a large proportion of his customers being from the agricultural industry , Kristiansen was forced to reflect on his business .
“ I looked to the future with hope . But within two months , my world was tumbling . There was a crisis in farming , but as we owed our living to the smallholders and farmers , we were also affected . We were in a difficult time – but it was as well that we could not see what lay ahead . During the summer , we were asked to make toys for Jens W . Olesen , Fredericia , and as we had no other work , we looked on it as a gift from God ,” said Kristiansen in his memoirs .
At a crossroads , Kristiansen had to choose between pursuing the manufacturing of toys or returning to his old craft .
In 1934 , backed by The National Association for Danish Enterprise ( Landsforeningen Dansk Arbejde ), Kristiansen pursued his career in toys - despite facing opposition from family members - showcasing his wooden toys at the Danish trade fair in Frederica . As such , the LEGO Group was born .
20 11 August 2021