Building a History

This comprehensive history traces the evolution of LEGO from its origins in a Danish carpenter's workshop during the 1930s to its current status as a global toy empire. The narrative captures how simple wooden toys transformed into the iconic plastic bricks that would eventually dominate creative play worldwide, revealing the business decisions, family dynamics, and cultural shifts that shaped this remarkable journey. Herman meticulously documents the company's expansion from local manufacturer to international phenomenon, showing how LEGO maintained its core values while adapting to changing markets and technologies across decades.

What makes this account particularly compelling is its focus on the human element behind the plastic bricks—the family conflicts, creative breakthroughs, and near-bankruptcy moments that defined the LEGO Group's trajectory. The book balances corporate history with cultural analysis, exploring why these interlocking bricks captured global imagination when so many other toys failed. Readers who appreciate business biographies, design history, or simply grew up with LEGO bricks will find this deep dive into the brand's heritage both enlightening and nostalgic, offering new appreciation for the thoughtful engineering behind every colorful brick.