A set of LEGO® Motion toys distributed by the fast-food chain McDonald’s in 1989. Each toy contained LEGO® pieces and directions to create different transportation vehicles such as a boats, planes, and automobiles. LEGO® is a company known for their connectable plastic bricks. In 1932, during the Great Depression, Ole Kirk Christiansen (1891 – 1958), a carpenter from Billund, Denmark, sought a means to support himself and his family. He established the company LEGO®, drawing inspiration from the Danish phrase leg godt, which translates to “play well.” LEGO® produced the first LEGO® brick in 1949 which was precursor to the company’s signature interlocking bricks with studs on top and tubes on the bottom. The LEGO® brick was patented by Christiansen’s son Godtfred Kirk (1920 – 1995) in 1958, who replaced his father as the head of the company.

The bricks simple, child friendly, and unchanged design derives from the company’s LEGO® system and had has been credited for the LEGO® bricks longevity as a popular children’s toy. The LEGO® system means “all elements fit together, can be used in multiple ways, can be built together.” The system means that all LEGO® bricks regardless of if they were purchased yesterday, today, or tomorrow, will fit together will all LEGO® bricks. The simple design and versatility of LEGO® bricks allow them to be utilized in a variety of ways in learning science or creating art. These LEGO® Motion sets encourage children to learn and build a variety of vehicles or create their own imaginative vehicle.