Toy Of The Century

The LEGO System — or as most call them, LEGOs — came to America in the 1970s but has been around in one form or another for over 60 years. And with the release of video games like LEGO Star Wars and movies like The LEGO Movie, the LEGO entertainment empire just continues to build on its American (and global) dominance. But LEGOs didn’t come to the United States until 1972 when LEGO USA was established. The products swiftly captured the imagination of American kids, becoming one of the must-have toy brands for younger Baby Boomers, Generation X, and all who’ve followed. Those who grew up in the ’70s learned to mash together plates, baseplates, bricks, tiles, wheels, slopes, arches, wedges — and that’s before the arrival of Minifigures, with their spaceships, police cars, and medieval weaponry. And don’t let the word “toy” fool you — the joy of assembling LEGOs has an almost addictive quality that makes these little plastic doodads attractive to parents and grandparents as well. The phrase “for kids of all ages” is usually an exaggeration, but in the case of LEGOs, it really does ring true… read more >