The Belville theme which was introduced in 1994 and later discontinued in 2009 was created to appeal primarily to girls. While the sets revolved around the concept of the LEGO system it featured doll-like figures known as Belville Figures instead of regular LEGO minifigures. The Belville Figures featured multiple joints to make play more like normal doll play and were larger than minifigures. The Belville theme was the predecessor to LEGO Friends.
1998 LEGO Sets
In 1998, LEGO took a major leap into technology and digital play with the introduction of LEGO Mindstorms, revolutionizing the way users interacted with LEGO bricks. This new theme combined programmable bricks, LEGO-compatible sensors, and motors, allowing users to build and code fully functional robots. Mindstorms became a cornerstone for LEGO’s STEM-focused educational initiatives, bridging the gap between traditional play and technology-driven learning.