These are the basic brick sets sold in North America by Samsonite, the luggage maker, which held the LEGO licence there from 1961. Samsonite made the ordinary bricks itself, first at its factory in Stratford, Ontario, while the special parts came over from Billund, and in 1965 it opened a plant in Loveland, Colorado, used only for LEGO.
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.