1979 was the beginning of Lego as we know it today, the year when they took over the world, the year of the Galaxy Explorer. I photographed all the classic models in my Lego trip. Here’s the never-released gallery.
The Lego bricks were invented a lot earlier, but 1979 was the year of Legoland Space, Legoland Town, and Legoland Castle. Those three are the Lego universes that started it all. They were first introduced in 1978—except for the Galaxy Explorer—but it wasn’t until 1979 and the few following years when they really took off.
During 1978, 1979, and the beginning of the 80s, Lego had its Golden Age. For sure, now they sell more than ever and they have a huge army of followers. But that was the true Golden Age, with the very best sets ever developed by the Danish company. Later many great ones came, but I was lucky enough to play with all those sets back in 1979, when I was a little kid.
Here you have my favourites, straight from the show room on top of their Lego secret vault, in their original factory.
Matt
Monday, July 20, 2009 at 4:57 PM’79, what a year! :D That’s for the memories, Lego was my favorite toy as a child, especially the electric trains and the space Lego.
chibi_sylv
Monday, July 20, 2009 at 9:07 PM4th picture from the bottom…is that Kevin Rudd there, probably out promoting his Kevin ’79 campaign with the good folks of Legoland
Legofan
Monday, July 20, 2009 at 11:14 PMOMG! I still have that airport! I still love lego till this day.
RobMac
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at 1:38 PMha ha anyone else spot Kevin Rudd in the 4th last photo – centre top?
Andrea
Monday, September 14, 2009 at 1:13 AMhttp://www.worldbricks.com/ massive lego instruction library. Just a tip. seems faster then the other 2
B DeConti
Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 6:14 PMWhere can we obtain the instructions for the space ship and other 1979 + lego builingtipsas we have the lego still but have lost the building instructions
Barbara