history: LEGO group timeline 20th century 1980s

for anyone curious about what LEGO has done for about 117 years.here is the time line. taken from wikipedia.

20th century

1980s

1980:Lego establishes the Educational Products Department.New factories are opened in Switzerland and Jutland, Denmark.It is revealed in a survey that seventy percent of all Western European families with kids under fourteen own Lego bricks.Lego train tracks are introduced.

1981: The second generation of Lego trains is produced, including a wider variety of accessories.

1982:Expert Builder series matured and became Technic.The Lego Group celebrates its 50th anniversary on August 13th.The book, 50 years of play is published.Lego South Africa is established.First Lego wind-up engine.

1983:Lego launches the Duplo Baby series.The company grows to 3,700 employees worldwide.

1984:Lego Castle series is launched.Lego pneumatics are added to the Technic series.Lego Brazil is established.Lego Korea is established.

1985:Light & Sound sets are introduced.Lego company grows to 5,000 employees worldwide; 3,000 of them being in Billund.The gearstick is introduced.

1986:Lego Technic robots controlled by computers are placed in schools.Light and Sound sets are launched of Lego Town and Space themes.Another factory in Manaus, Brazil is opened.Godtfred Kirk Christiansen resigns as chairman of the board of Lego System A/S and Lego Overseas.Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen takes over for Godtfred Kirk Christiansen.

1987:Forestman, Crusaders, and Black Knights, sub-lines of Lego Castle, are introduced.Blacktron I and Futuron, sub-lines of Lego Space, are introduced.Lego reaches almost 6,000 employees.Lego South Africa is closed.Lego Club is established.

1988:The first Lego World Cup building contest is held in Billund.Lego Canada is established.The "Brick Separator" is introduced.

1989:Lego Pirates theme is launched.Lego Educational Products Department is renamed Lego Dacta.Brick Kicks, the first official Lego Club magazine, is introduced.Space Police I, a sub-line of Lego Space is introduced.