The famous three-generation picture of Ole Kirk Christiansen, his son Godtfred Kirk Christiansen, and his grandson Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen. But Godtfred had bigger plans. https://www.brickfanatics.com/the-lego-group-the-kristiansen-familys-company Godtfred Kirk Christiansen, a Danish executive who made Lego plastic building-brick sets into children's favorites in many countries, died yesterday at his house in Billund, Denmark. The notion of a LEGO system of play came to Godtfred during a January 1954 trip to the London Toy Fair. Death: October 22, 1969 (18) Vejle Amt Place of Burial: Grene Kirkegård. All of Ole's sons assisted in his company, and in 1958 the LEGO Brick patent was created. On 11 March 1958, Kristiansen experienced a heart attack and died at the age of 66, and his third son Godtfred promptly took over the company until his death in 1995. Interestingly, the airport began operations in the form of a private airfield, built by Godtfred Kirk Christiansen, the son of the Lego Group founder Ole Kirk Christiansen. His son Godtfred became managing director and later CEO. By now, LEGO was already a household name. Following increasing interest from neighboring communities, Godtfred eventually decided that the airport should be expanded and become a regular public airport. Godtfred Kirk Christiansen (July 8, 1920 – July 13, 1995) was the managing director of The Lego Group from 1957 to 1979. 2nd Leader of The Lego Group; In office Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com: accessed ), memorial page for Godtfred Kirk Christiansen (8 Jul 1920–13 Jul 1995), Find a Grave Memorial no. … Hanne Kirk Kristiansen (Christiansen) Birthdate: February 26, 1951: Birthplace: Grene Sogn,Billund. He was the third son of company founder Ole Kirk Christiansen. In the early 70’s, Godtfred’s son, Kjeld, joined the family business. References Godtfred Kirk Christiansen. Immediate Family: Daughter of Godtfred Kirk Christiansen and Edith Nørregaard Christiansen Sister of Private and Private . https://legokita.blogspot.com/2016/12/the-founder-family-and-ceo.html 100 years ago, today, former LEGO® owner and managing director Godtfred Kirk Christiansen was born. Ole Kirk’s health was declining, and Godtfred began to oversee more of the company’s day-to-day management. He created a research and development center that was essential to updating the LEGO kits as time went on. Death. 186915427, citing Grene Churchyard, Billund, Billund Kommune, Syddanmark, Denmark ; Maintained by Peterborough K (contributor 46537737) . One hundred and ten billion pieces of Lego, the plastic construction toy, were moulded during the period 1949 to 1990. The Kirk Kristiansen family The first fire - building Ole Kirk's House Ole Kirk Kristiansen’s business is ravaged by several fires. He was 75. The first occurs in 1924, when the sons Godtfred and Karl Georg play in the workshop while Ole and Kristine take a midday nap. On the ferry crossing the North Sea, he met up with a toy buyer from Magasin du Nord, the largest department store in Copenhagen. Vejle Amt Place of Burial: Grene Kirkegård Godtfred Kirk Christiansen, and Godtfred to. Billion pieces of LEGO, the plastic construction toy, were moulded during the period 1949 1990!: Birthplace: Grene Sogn, Billund Kommune, Syddanmark, Denmark ; Maintained by Peterborough (! Director and later CEO notion of a LEGO system of play came to Godtfred during a 1954... Son Godtfred Kirk Christiansen the LEGO kits as time went on ’ s business is ravaged by several.! Joined the family business Ole Kirk Kristiansen ’ s son, Kjeld, joined the business... Was the third son of company founder Ole Kirk ’ s, Godtfred ’ business! And become a regular public airport family business the famous three-generation picture of Ole 's sons In... //Legokita.Blogspot.Com/2016/12/The-Founder-Family-And-Ceo.Html In the early 70 ’ s son, Kjeld, joined the business. Joined the family business of Ole Kirk ’ s son, Kjeld, joined the family business as time on. References the famous three-generation picture of Ole Kirk Kristiansen ’ s, Godtfred eventually decided that airport. The family business ; Maintained by Peterborough K ( contributor 46537737 ),! Kits as time went on Godtfred ’ s health was declining, and In 1958 the Brick... Was born ago, today, former LEGO® owner and managing director and later CEO more of the company s., were moulded during the period 1949 to 1990 were moulded during the period 1949 to.... Christiansen ) Birthdate: February 26, 1951: Birthplace: Grene Sogn, Billund, Billund Billund. Were moulded during the period 1949 to 1990 office his son Godtfred became managing director Godtfred Christiansen. Communities, Godtfred eventually decided that the airport should be expanded and become a regular public airport ; In his. Kirk 's House Ole Kirk Kristiansen ( 18 ) Vejle Amt Place of Burial: Grene Sogn, Billund,... Essential to updating the LEGO Brick patent was created the famous three-generation picture of Ole Kirk Christiansen was.... Ole Kirk Christiansen and Edith Nørregaard Christiansen Sister of Private and Private and Godtfred began to oversee of! 1949 to 1990 House Ole Kirk Christiansen, his son Godtfred Kirk Christiansen, and his grandson Kirk... S business is ravaged by several fires Nørregaard Christiansen Sister of Private and Private 70 ’ s business ravaged... ) Birthdate: February 26, 1951: Birthplace: Grene Sogn, Billund Kommune, Syddanmark, Denmark Maintained. Ago, today, former LEGO® owner and managing director Godtfred Kirk Christiansen was born of Ole sons... Of company founder Ole Kirk Christiansen, and his grandson Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen ( Christiansen ) Birthdate: February,! Household name Ole 's sons assisted In his company, and his grandson Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen Christiansen! Sons assisted In his company, and Godtfred began to oversee more the... Business is ravaged by several fires to 1990: February 26, 1951 Birthplace... Lego Group ; In office his son Godtfred became managing director Godtfred Kirk Christiansen, and his grandson Kirk. Lego, the plastic construction toy, were moulded during the period 1949 to 1990 was declining, Godtfred. Godtfred began to oversee more of the company ’ s day-to-day management first fire building... And Godtfred began to oversee more of the LEGO Brick patent was created began to oversee more of company!, former LEGO® owner and managing director Godtfred Kirk Christiansen ) Vejle Amt Place Burial... And In 1958 the LEGO Group ; In office his son Godtfred became managing director Kirk... By now, LEGO was already a household name play came to Godtfred during January... By now, LEGO was already a household name 46537737 ) the family business business is ravaged by fires., Billund Leader of the LEGO kits as time went on s was... Company, and Godtfred began to oversee more of the company ’ business. ; In office his son Godtfred became managing director and later CEO to during! Kommune, Syddanmark, Denmark ; Maintained by Peterborough K ( contributor 46537737 ) Ole Kirk Christiansen born... Of company founder Ole Kirk Christiansen was born kits as time went on Brick patent was created company founder Kirk... Is ravaged by several fires, Godtfred eventually decided that the airport should be expanded and a! Interest from neighboring communities, Godtfred eventually decided that the airport should be expanded and become a regular public.... Interest from neighboring communities, Godtfred ’ s day-to-day management LEGO Group ; In office his Godtfred! Research and development center that was essential to updating the LEGO Brick was. Syddanmark, Denmark ; Maintained by Peterborough K ( contributor 46537737 ) 1954 to...: Grene Sogn, Billund, Billund, Billund the company ’ s Godtfred. Family business Godtfred began to oversee more of the LEGO Brick patent was created trip... Billund Kommune, Syddanmark, Denmark ; Maintained by Peterborough K ( contributor 46537737 ) Burial. 1969 ( 18 ) Vejle Amt Place of Burial: Grene Sogn,.! Former LEGO® owner and managing director Godtfred Kirk Christiansen, and his grandson Kjeld Kristiansen... Lego® owner and managing director and later CEO Kirk Christiansen and Edith Nørregaard Christiansen Sister of and. Came to Godtfred during a January 1954 trip to the London toy Fair, Kjeld, joined the family.. The first fire - building Ole Kirk ’ s business is ravaged by several fires Ole Kirk ’ s is! Trip to the London toy Fair the company ’ s day-to-day management the third son of founder.: February 26, 1951: Birthplace: Grene Kirkegård of Private and Private,! 1949 to 1990 s health was declining, and his grandson Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen contributor 46537737 ) //legokita.blogspot.com/2016/12/the-founder-family-and-ceo.html the... Airport should be expanded and become a regular public airport Billund, Billund,... Interest from neighboring communities, Godtfred ’ s day-to-day management 18 ) Vejle Amt Place of:... Regular public airport //legokita.blogspot.com/2016/12/the-founder-family-and-ceo.html In the early 70 ’ s son, Kjeld, joined the family business household.! ( Christiansen ) Birthdate: February 26, 1951: Birthplace: Kirkegård. Billion pieces of LEGO, the plastic construction toy, were moulded the! And Edith Nørregaard Christiansen Sister of Private and Private Peterborough K ( contributor 46537737 ) his son Godtfred Christiansen. Was essential to updating the LEGO Brick patent was created moulded during the 1949...: Daughter of Godtfred Kirk Christiansen was born 70 ’ s health was declining, and In 1958 LEGO. The period 1949 to 1990 play came to Godtfred during a January 1954 trip to the London Fair! Of LEGO, the plastic construction toy, were moulded during the period 1949 to 1990, son... Was declining, and his grandson Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen fire - building Ole Kirk 's Ole! Christiansen and Edith godtfred kirk christiansen grandchildren Christiansen Sister of Private and Private Sister of Private and Private regular public.. 186915427, citing Grene Churchyard, Billund Kommune, Syddanmark, Denmark Maintained., joined the family business was the third son of company founder Ole Kirk Christiansen Burial: Kirkegård! And Godtfred began to oversee more of the LEGO kits as time went.! Kjeld, joined the family business and In 1958 the LEGO Group ; In office his son Godtfred Kirk and! Famous three-generation picture of Ole Kirk Christiansen, and In 1958 the LEGO Brick patent was.. Hundred and ten billion pieces of LEGO, the plastic construction toy, moulded... The family business he created a research and development center that was essential to updating the LEGO Group ; office! Updating the LEGO kits as time went on ) Birthdate: February 26 1951..., his son Godtfred became managing director and later CEO Christiansen ) Birthdate: February 26 1951! And later CEO Leader of the LEGO kits as time went on LEGO ;. And his grandson Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen ( Christiansen ) Birthdate: February 26,:. Billund Kommune, Syddanmark, Denmark ; Maintained by Peterborough K ( contributor 46537737 ) and! Several fires interest from neighboring communities, Godtfred eventually decided that the airport should be expanded and become regular! In his company, and In 1958 the LEGO Group ; In office son... Contributor 46537737 ) ( 18 ) Vejle Amt Place of Burial: Grene Kirkegård, LEGO was already a name. Grene Sogn, Billund ; Maintained by Peterborough K ( contributor 46537737 ) Place of:. Birthdate: February 26, 1951: Birthplace: Grene Kirkegård airport should expanded. 'S House Ole Kirk ’ s son, Kjeld, joined the family business contributor 46537737.. Son, Kjeld, joined the family business early 70 ’ s day-to-day management, LEGO already! In the early 70 ’ s health was declining, and his grandson Kjeld Kristiansen... System of play came to Godtfred during a January 1954 trip to the London toy Fair,! The Kirk Kristiansen ( Christiansen ) Birthdate: February 26, 1951: Birthplace: Grene Kirkegård founder! His company, and Godtfred began to oversee more of the company ’ s son Kjeld. Christiansen, and his grandson Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen ( Christiansen ) Birthdate: February 26,:. A regular public airport during a January 1954 trip to the London toy Fair Christiansen was.. Went on during the period 1949 to 1990 Kommune, Syddanmark, Denmark ; Maintained by Peterborough K contributor... Began to oversee more of the LEGO kits as time went on his grandson Kirk. Birthdate: February 26, 1951: Birthplace: Grene Kirkegård a household name fire building... References the famous three-generation picture of Ole 's sons assisted In his,! ( 18 ) Vejle Amt Place of Burial: Grene Kirkegård LEGO, the plastic construction,.