Do you remember the pure joy of opening up vibrantly colored Lego sets as a child? Those first snaps as the pieces interlocked brought grins ear to ear. Lego forged childhood memories around the world while also pioneering what would become one of the most popular toys ever created.
As Lego celebrates over 90 years since its founding, let‘s venture back to the beginning and rediscover the first sets that started it all. What were those initial Lego designs like compared to the elaborate Lego extravaganzas built today?
I‘m taking you on a nostalgia-fueled journey to learn the origin stories behind the first five milestone Lego sets! Along the way, we‘ll see how Lego evolved from simple wooden playthings to the global pop culture titans they remain today.
Laying the LEGO Foundation
To fully appreciate the first Lego sets, it helps to understand the brand‘s humble beginnings. Long before catchy licensed themes like Star Wars or Harry Potter, Lego started off as a struggling wood manufacturing business in Denmark.
Ole Kirk Christiansen founded the company in 1932, creatively naming it LEGO – derived from the Danish phrase "leg godt" meaning "play well". But after a workplace fire, Ole pivoted his woodworking shop into designing simple toy prototypes.
In 1947, amidst plastic gaining popularity, Ole ordered the company‘s first plastic injection molding machine from the UK. Two years later in 1949, the "Automatic Binding Bricks" became the first plastic Lego bricks sold to the public. And with that, a legendary brand was born!
The first iconic Lego bricks from 1949 [Image credit: Lego]
But what exactly were those inaugural Lego sets back in the late 1940s and 1950s like for kids compared to the elaborate Lego extravaganzas built today? Let‘s explore the pioneering first five…
1949 – First Lego Set Ever Sold: "Automatic Binding Bricks"
The aptly named "Automatic Binding Bricks" made history as the first ever Lego set sold to consumers in 1949. It included:
- 222 Lego bricks in red, white and black
- No instructions or model guidance
- Bricks ranging from 1×1 to 2×4 sizes
Despite no official build directions, the raw bricks unleashed creativity in kids to construct anything they imagined – from buildings to vehicles to abstract sculptures!
The Automatic Binding Bricks‘ versatility and open-ended play established core Lego values still central to the brand over 70 years later. But some disadvantages stood out too:
Pros
- Originating set inspiring future Lego legacy
- Simple bricks for unlimited creativity
Cons
- No model instructions included
- Very limited color palette
By 1953, Lego made major strides toward more structured building with their first-ever themed set…
1953 – First Building Set: "Garage with Automatic Door"
Part of the new "Town Plan" series in 1953, the Garage with Automatic Door debuted child-friendly architecture sets.
Fun Fact: Lego‘s old naming convention numbered sets by year, so this pioneering Town Plan series was called 200/200 in 1953.
With 101 plastic pieces, kids could build a working Lego garage with opening and closing door. Special sloped roof bricks were also newly introduced in this set:
The retro 1953 Garage brought interactive play [Image credit: ToysPeriod]
Let‘s review the Garage‘s advantages over previous blank brick sets:
Pros
- Interactive door function
- Part of the first building-focused set series
Cons
- Rather boring garage theme
So while a fully enclosed garage model was progress, Lego still needed more versatility and child appeal in their sets…
1958 – First Accessories & Furnishings: "Town Plan Accessories"
What‘s the point of building a city without the finishing touches that make it feel lived in? Lego addressed this in 1958 with their debut accessory pack labelled "Town Plan Accessories".
As a supplement to the core Town Plan series, this add-on set came with:
- 10 Windows and Doors
- 6 Trees and Bushes
- 16 Road Signs
Finally builders could populate their community buildings with proper windows and doors. Foliage like trees and bushes brought welcoming greenery. And what town would be complete without road signs to direct traffic?
The Accessories brought enhanced realism through the magic of detail. Of course, we can‘t ignore that walls likely felt bare without enough windows in your own colors. Because while novel, the pack came rather monochromatically with:
Pros
- Added realism through supplementary pieces
- Extended Town Plan series customization
Cons
- Accessories heavily red and white dominated
As Lego closed the 1950s, two giant leaps came in 1961 with wheels introducing movable models plus the first buildable vehicle set…
1961 – Wheels Debut: "Lego System Wheels"
The creativity accelerating addition of Lego "System Wheels" marked 1961 as a monumental year. Behold, Lego‘s very first wheels unlocked rolling vehicle models!
Without set guidance, kids could freely build any contraption their imaginations designed – cars, trucks, aircraft that really rolled across floors! The System Wheels pack was your ticket to mobile plastic freedom.
Fun Fact: Lego wheels didn‘t receive that "Technic" label until 1977.
Yet again, Lego set the bar higher but still with restrictive color choice. Because while wheels radically evolved play potential, you remained limited to red or white rims to craft your vehicle dreams.
Pros
- Wheels enabled movable, motorized models
- Launched "System" sub-brand
Cons
- Wheels only offered in red and white
With Lego finally embracing mobility in 1961, their first buildable vehicle model appropriately took on water themes. Let‘s sail away with "Boats"!
1961 – First Vehicle Model Set: "Boats"
1961 will forever be renowned in Lego history as the year wheels debuted along with their first vehicle model set – known simply as "Boats".
Nautical creativity came flooding in as kids assembled sailboats, steamboats, rowboats and more from the 400+ piece collection. The set also included piers, jetties, cranes and buildings to construct a bustling boatyard scene.
All aboard for nautical adventure! [Image credit: Brickshop]
Let‘s set sail on the maiden voyage of Lego vehicles by scrutinizing this ship‘s strengths and weaknesses:
Pros
- Debut buildable vehicle model theme
- Variety of vessels like sail boats and steamboat designs
Cons
- While beautifully detailed, boats remained frustratingly non-buoyant
With bold first steps into themes like town planning, accessories, wheels and vehicles, where could the burgeoning Lego empire possibly innovate next on their mission to perfect constructive play?
How to Pick the Best Lego Set
Today Lego fans are spoiled for choice with everything from Ninjago City to 10,000+ piece Titanic replicas! But when faced with seemingly infinite Lego set possibilities, how do you pick the perfect set to build?
Here are key deciding factors to consider for your budget and skill level:
Theme & Subject
With vastly different series like Harry Potter, architecture skylines or Technic sports cars, choose a theme that speaks to your passions. This helps ensure an engaging build.
Piece Count
Consider piece counts ranging from 100 to over 5,000 pieces. Larger sets take more time and skill but allow stunning final models.
Age Range
Lego labels each set with the recommended builder age to signify complexity level. Make sure this suggested range aligns with your maturity and dexterity.
Price
Lego set prices run the gamut from $10 impulse buys to $800 display-worthy investments. Set a budget and seek maximum value for that spend.
The joy of Lego building isn‘t just the final brick snap, but rather the magical memories made on the journey getting there.
What Makes Lego Sets So Special?
As you‘ve now explored, Lego sets have captivated children and adult hobbyists alike for over 70 years, with the earliest sets from the late 1940s-1960s proving revolutionary.
But what enduring qualities established Lego as the best-selling toy ever, outlasting countless fads and copycats?
Promotes Creativity
Building experiences flex imagination and problem-solving without restrictive rules on "right" constructions.
Inspires Innovation
Lego Inc. continues pushing boundaries on set innovation – from Bluetooth app control to brick-built robots.
Fosters Patience
Intricate sets demand concentration, attention to detail and incremental progress towards milestones.
Enables Achievement
The rush of snapping final bricks into place swells pride and personal accomplishment.
Bonds Generations
Grandparents pass down nostalgic sets to parent and child to share precious memories.
Endless Possibilities
From the simplest houses to the Statue of Liberty, kids of all ages build whatever dreams they dare to.
Of course, the most convincing testament endorsing Lego is simply hearing the sheer joy and laughter echo from a child‘s playroom. Because Lego setsgrant kids the building blocks to construct whatever their imagination desires.
The first sparks of creation way back in 1949 led to a legendary brand today prominently displayed in family playrooms and toy aisles globally. Not bad for stacking little plastic bricks!
Comparing the First 5 Milestone Lego Sets
| Set Name | Release Year | Pieces | Colors | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic Binding Bricks | 1949 | 222 | Red, White, Black | * First Lego set |
| Garage w/ Automatic Door | 1953 | 101 | Standard | Doors open/close Part of first Town series |
| Town Plan Accessories | 1958 | 32 | Mostly Red/White | Supplementary pieces Added realism |
| Lego System Wheels | 1961 | 28 | Red/White | Created moving vehicles Launched "System" |
| Boats | 1961 | 400+ | Standard | First vehicle model Nautical theme |
Frequently Asked Lego Questions
What is the rarest Lego set in history?
Extremely rare sets demanding top dollar from collectors include #0063 Ole Kirk‘s House (1958), #342 Cars (1953), and a special edition 2000 Anakin Podracer promotional set of which only 2 are known to exist.
Do old Lego sets from the 80s or 90s have value?
Many vintage Lego sets now auction for steep collectible prices. Especially coveted is the 1979 Space Command Center valued around $10,400 – over 400X its original $25 launch cost!
What does Lego "3-in-1" mean?
Sets labelled "3-in-1" provide instructions for building 3 different models using the same included Lego bricks. This allows more customization options from just 1 purchased set.
I‘d love to hear your favorite nostalgic Lego memories in the comments below! Now hurry, I think I hear those dusty Lego bins in the attic calling…
