Through its long history, Lego has been able to benefit from a variety of production features. Lego has been able to develop some of most popular toys on the planet thanks to these features. These features include the development of an exclusive interlocking mechanism and the use plastic instead of other materials. These unique features helped the company become the top toy manufacturer worldwide.
The 1960s saw the company continue to expand at a rapid pace. One significant change took place when Godtfred Kirk Christiansens’s cousin Dagny Holm, joined the company as a model builder. Dagny was a pro at creating large-scale models and globes, which were displayed in the showroom. This was an excellent way to showcase the potential of LEGO bricks, and to draw interest from children.
In 1971 the LEGO system was expanded into new areas thanks to the addition of furniture and dollhouses. The LEGO system was further expanded in 1972, with the addition of ship and boat sets with hull pieces floating. In the 1960s, the company began its international expansion, selling its products in North America via a licensing agreement with Samsonite.
In the 1980s the company continued to expand, diversify and modernize. This was reflected in the establishment of a research and development department, which has worked to keep the LEGO system on top of its game in terms of innovations. It also saw the introduction of themed sets that allowed the user to build specific models without having to figure out what to do on their own. This was the beginning of more intricate building and also allowed children to gain an even more hands-on experience playing with legos.