The Secret Life of LEGO® Bricks
By Daniel Konstanski
A celebration of the LEGO® brick, exclusively for fans
Friday, 6 November 2020
The Secret Life of LEGO® Bricks: November 2020 update
It feels like an eternity ago that I wrote the first update, so much has happened since then. With the final book plan approved by the LEGO Group and being vetted by the original AFOL group, the writing process is getting underway, with a mix of about 50/50 writing and conducting interviews with some amazing folks at the LEGO Group.
Multiple people within the company are liaising with their co-workers finding folks who can answer some of the many, many questions I have sent in. The support and enthusiasm are incredible and I feel lucky to be a part of it.
I have also spent a fair bit of time scouring the internal LEGO® digital archive and have found some absolute treasures. Two finds have been especially exciting. One is the very first sketch of the modern stud and tube system made by Godtfred Kirk Christiansen (GKC) himself. It had some surprise secrets in the margins that will definitely be finding their way into the book.
Second is a promotional video from 1951, a mere two years after the LEGO brick was invented. It is surprisingly long and includes a tour of the workshop where, in live action, one of the very first moulding machines is churning out Automatic Binding Bricks. The whole plastics process is shown including where the plastic pellets were stored, how they were fed into the machine, and the surprising speed at which those early bricks were produced. Lastly, it contained a sequence of GKC operating another machine that provided a tantalizing clue to solving a longstanding mystery about early bricks. Very, very exciting developments!
If this wasn't exciting enough, keep an eye out for an announcement next week from the LEGO Group and Unbound!
Top rewards
LEGO® prototype element and minifigure
Only 500 available.The LEGO Group is offering for the first time ever, a brand-new, specially 3D printed prototype element on which you can give your personal feedback. It comes with its own AFOL-themed minifigure.
Printed in Billund, Denmark, the element is yet to be finalized so it will be a surprise when you receive it, but we can tell you that this isn't something you will have seen before. The element will present a new integrated function as a part of our exploration of new design and play functions. It is the first time the LEGO Group is asking AFOLs and fans to give their thoughts on a specific element while the technology is being developed.
Limited to one per household.PLUS:
- One hardback book
- One name in the supporter list

A Gift for a Friend
Give the gift of The Secret History of LEGO® Bricks to a friend or loved one.
They will receive the book when it is available in 2022, with their name in the back. Upon purchase, you will receive an email confirmation with a voucher to give to the gift recipient.
For gift voucher FAQs click here.
PLUS:
- One hardback book
- Recipient's name in the supporter list

Comments
Oooh... what could be the exciting announcement next week? You're right though. This update was exciting on its own, but saying that made it even better!
posted 6th November 2020
That's wonderful, I cannot wait till I receive this special history book. Hope it will be ready soon.
posted 6th November 2020
can I still support more? I put in some money already
posted 8th November 2020
No announcement from LEGO / Unbound !? Did I miss something?
posted 15th November 2020