Dacta was an original LEGO theme from 1960 to 2003 that deals with all things that can be used with educational facilities, such as DUPLO and TECHNIC. Dacta was later replaced by the LEGO Education theme. Sets in the Dacta product line were exclusively developed for usage in younger aged schools so the sets typically contain a large amount of pieces for playing and learning in groups. The sets were designed to contain a higher number of bricks and elements at a lower cost.
1961 LEGO Sets
1961 marked a significant year for the LEGO Group. International sales, production and distribution were greatly expanded. North America was an important market but its sheer size and distance from Denmark required a sales and distribution network that was too large for LEGO to manage at the time. LEGO reached an agreement to allow Samsonite to begin producing and selling LEGO products in North America. The result was a license for exclusive North American distribution rights and LEGO began marketing sets under the name ‘LEGO by Samsonite’ in the US in 1961. In the same year, LEGO Italy was established.