1964

In 1964 LEGO expanded production and built a plant in Hohenwehenstedt, Germany. Also, LEGO introduced the 1x1 round brick with square tapered bottom and the first LEGO sets containing instruction manuals were introduced. In 1964 LEGO released the first of a new series of basic sets. These sets were larger, reflecting the new scale of the system, and packaged in an updated box design. The 040 and 050 sets were released in 1964 and were followed by four additional sets the next year. It marked the end of the venerable 700/x series, which had been introduced 15 years earlier.

However, the 1964 release of the LEGO instruction books revolutionized how LEGO is sold today. The idea of building instructions was, initially, simply an afterthought. The first instructions, from the mid 1950’s, were simple elevation plans, typically printed on the inside box lid. It was hardly enough information to even build the model. LEGO revisited the idea in the 1960’s as the sets became larger and more model-like, and in 1964 they produced the first of the modern instructions. The new format consisted of elements laid out in a 30° isometric view. It was a major breakthrough for LEGO.

Some other notable events for LEGO in 1964 include LEGO being featured in the 1964 New York World’s Fair as the center of the Danish Pavilion which focused on a playground for children. LEGO even offered two special promotional sets imported from Billund, sets 395-3 and set 396-2, New York World Fair Promo.