Lego is celebrating its 80th anniversary with an animated short inspired by the company's long, rich history. Danish carpenter Ole Kirk Chrstiansen started his business in 1932, which has since transformed into children's toy empire Lego. The 12-minute movie chronicles the trials and tribulations that Ole and his son Godtfred went through — including bankruptcy, lay-offs, and factory fires — and their expansion from wooden toys to interlocking plastic bricks.
The Lego Story is told from the perspective of Ole's grandson and current owner Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen, according to Design Taxi. It's a touching story of a family venture that became a worldwide sensation, entertaining geeks young and old everywhere. If you want to dig into the timeline further, visit Lego's website for more brick-building memories. Happy 80th!