How are Legos Made?


Introduction

Lego bricks are so much fun to build and create with. You can make a million different things out of them. While building with your Lego bricks did you ever wondered how they were made? I did! These building bricks have been made the same way since 1958.

Legos Begin

Lego bricks are part of a building toy line made by the Lego Group from Denmark. The Lego business started in 1932 with wooden toys. In 1949 they started making their famous Lego Bricks.

How Legos are made

Lego bricks were made from cellulose acetate from 1949 to 1963. This type of plastic was also used for movie films. The original way they were made didn’t allow the bricks to stay together while building with them.

In 1957 the linking system was created. This made the bricks stay together where you put them. Lego switched their plastic in 1963 to ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene).

ABS is a stronger and longer lasting plastic. Legos are made by dumping ABS into silos. Its then fed into machines and heated to 450 degrees F where it melts, forming plastic goo.

Next it is fed into Lego part molds. Once cooled, out come the Lego bricks.

How Legos are tested

During the manufacturing process Lego tests the pieces for quality. They test them by trying to break the bricks with heavy objects. One test mocks a 50kg child stepping on a Lego to make sure it doesn’t break. A 2x2 brick can withstand a force of 4,240 Newton’s, which is like having a person weighing 430kg step on them.

Material change

ABS is oil base plastic. Making Legos from oil has a big impact on the environment. The group set a goal to use more raw materials by 2020.

In 2018 Lego started using Polyethene which is made from sugar cane instead of oil base plastic. This new material makes it better for the environment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the next time you play with your Legos remember that they have been around since 1949 and have evolved to become a better toy for the environment. The way these bricks have been created made got them into the Toy Hall of Fame in 1998.

This Lego kit was made with a special gold brick to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Lego.

Here is a Lego bird it is made out of Legos

Here is sign at Lego Land.

Kirk Christiansen is the founder of Legos. The name Lego comes from the Danish words LEG GODT, which means “play well.”

Here are yellow Legos at the Lego factory.

Here is a Lego Machine. That make Lego's

Visit these sources to find more information:

interesting facts:


  • Did you know Legos originally were made to be wooden toys?
  • Did you know Lego brick come in 53 different colors!
  • Did you know that more than 19 BILLION Lego piecs pieces are made every year!

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