Samsonite was an American manufacturer of LEGO sets which introduced the very first USA LEGO catalog for Christmas of 1961. LEGO and Samsonite created a partnership to produce and sell LEGO in the US. The result was a 9-year license for exclusive North American distribution rights. Samsonite began marketing sets under the name LEGO by Samsonite in the US in 1961 and Canada in 1962.
1972 LEGO Sets
1972 was a pivotal year in LEGO’s U.S. expansion. Following the end of its Samsonite license, LEGO founded LEGO USA in Brookfield, Connecticut, while Samsonite continued production in Canada. The year also brought key new parts—including the first boat hulls, wings, propellers, and helicopter rotors—broadening creative possibilities. Trains remained a major focus with sets such as 181 Train Set with Motor, 180 4.5V Train with 5 Wagons, and 724 12V Diesel Locomotive, continuing to enhance LEGO’s realism and play depth.