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It's worth noting that Lego didn't invent locking bricks, though they did refine them. Similar bricks made of rubber had apparently been around for a while, but
by PhasmaFelis 9y ago
It's worth noting that Lego didn't invent locking bricks, though they did refine them. Similar bricks made of rubber had apparently been around for a while, but the first plastic versions were made by a Brit named Hilary Fisher Page under the brand name "Kiddicraft".
Lego discovered that Page hadn't patented his bricks in Denmark, copied them more or less exactly (though they'd improve the design later), and the rest is history. Page killed himself in 1957, apparently without ever hearing of Lego's success. Lego bought Kiddicraft in 1981 to solidify their legal claim before suing Tyco for copying their bricks.
- swampthinker 9y agoTyco? Google brings up nothing Edit: Nevermind, just had to search Tyco Toys
- fattire 9y agoYeah here are a few reports on this: http://www.cracked.com/article_20025_5-world-famous-products-that-are-shameless-rip-offs.html http://www.cracked.com/article_20025_5-world-famous-products... http://birthmoviesdeath.com/2014/02/06/kiddicraft-the-company-lego-ripped-off-to-make-plastic-bricks http://birthmoviesdeath.com/2014/02/06/kiddicraft-the-compan... They say the plastic blocks WERE patented, but Lego (allegedly) didn't care or perhaps as you mentioned the patent didn't apply in Denmark according to some commenters as well. As the article notes, Lego has been very aggressive pursuing perceived design violations.