In the October issue of the Costco Connection, I came across a fascinating article about Legos. Most of us remember these colorful plastic bricks from our childhood, and I suspect I can trace my memories even further back. After all, Legos were originally launched in 1949, so I must have played with them when I was younger. 

According to the article, the toy's name is derived from two Danish words: leg (play) and godt (well). Ole Kirk Kristiansen, a Danish carpenter and toymaker, is credited with inventing Legos and patented the name in 1958. Interestingly, if I could find my old pieces, they’d still fit perfectly with the newer sets available today.

The Lego Group made a major move in 1961 by forging a licensing agreement with Samsonite Luggage. An ambitious young advertising executive named Barney Schwartz was tasked with introducing the toys to the American market. He quickly discovered that Legos were already hugely popular in Europe, not just with children but also with architects, who used them to create scale models. To build interest in America, Schwartz convinced Pratt Institute in Brooklyn to have architectural students design a modern Lego city. The result was a massive cityscape, complete with roads, buildings, and bridges, which was featured on The Today Show. The publicity sparked an overwhelming demand for the bricks in the U.S.

Following the success of their regular Lego sets, the company introduced Duplo blocks for younger children. This is when my family’s love-hate relationship with Legos began. As any parent will tell you, stepping on one of those hard blocks barefoot is painful. I quickly learned to wear sturdy shoes near the toy box.

We also had a Golden Retriever named Sunny, who had a particular fondness for Duplos. She’d happily chew on them as a teething puppy, often giving me a guilty look when caught in the act. Sometimes, I'd scold her by saying, "Sunnnnnny," and she would avoid my gaze, her mouth hiding a red Duplo piece. Perhaps the Lego Group missed a clever marketing opportunity: "Great for adults, kids, and teething puppies!" As for Sunny, her epitaph would read, "Humans loved her; Duplos feared her."

I'm not the only one in the neighborhood with fond memories of "toys gone by." See if you can match your neighbor with their favorite childhood toy.

A. Panda Bear

B. Slinky

C. Jacks

D. Kickball ball

E. Cowboy outfit from grandmother

F. Teddy Bear

G. Tractor

H. Radio Flyer train set