David Lyall
David Lyall | |
|---|---|
.jpg) David Lyall in 1980 | |
| Born | Frederick David Weatherston Lyall 29 November 1916 Chorlton, Lancashire, England |
| Died | 11 May 2000 (aged 83) Denbighshire, Wales |
| Occupation | LEGO model designer |
| Years active | 1962−1983 |
| Signature | |
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Frederick David Weatherston Lyall (29 November 1916 − 11 May 2000)[1] was a British artist who worked as a model designer at LEGO UK Ltd.
Bio
David Lyall went to art school and worked at an advertising agency until World War II. He spent seven years in the British Army during the war, mostly in the Middle East theatre. After the war he worked various jobs, including designing point of sale material and larger displays for stores, and as a cook on a fishing trawler.[2][3]
Lyall joined British LEGO Ltd on 4 November 1962.[4] He was part of the original design team at British LEGO (later LEGO UK), along with Kenneth Jones and Brena John. The three designed and constructed LEGO models for exhibitions and shop promotions.[5] Lyall's first LEGO model designed was a small cow. His first large display was a 2,000 sq ft (190 m2) scene from Alice in Wonderland, created for a London store's Christmas grotto in 1963.[4]
When Bricks and Pieces (later Bricks 'n Pieces) was launched in December 1974, Lyall was regularly featured with his works, both large displays he worked on and smaller model ideas that readers could also build.[6] Starting in the summer 1981 issue, his section was called "The David Lyall Spot".[7]
Lyall retired from LEGO UK at the end of November 1983.[4][3] His final build was a series of figures based on the legends of King Arthur. He was replaced as LEGO UK's chief model designer by John Duffield.[8][9]
Lyall's two favourite models he created were a recreation of the Irish State Coach (1977) and a piece based on the story of St. George and the Dragon (1980).[4][3]
Gallery
A selection of LEGO models and displays created by David Lyall, largely sourced from Bricks 'n Pieces.
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Alice in Wonderland, 1963 -
Gullivers Travels (with Kenneth Jones), 1975 -
The Irish Stage Coach, 1977 -
African Safari, 1978 -
The King was in the Counting House, 1979 -
LEGOLAND Space Cruiser, 1979 -
St. George and the Dragon, 1980 -
Dragon model from Kipper (1980) -
Kipper and submarine models in Kipper (1980) -
The Wind in the Willows, 1982 -
The ARK Building Company, 1983
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References
- ↑ "David Lyall registration index records". Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ↑ Nicholls, Clive (1988). "The Genesis of the Idea". In Baynes, Ken (ed.). The ART of LEGO. Mold, Clwyd: Clwyd County Council. pp. 36–37. ISBN 0-904449-40-8.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Wiencek, Henry (1987). The World of LEGO Toys. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc. pp. 152–157. ISBN 0-8109-2362-9.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Lyall, David (Autumn 1983). Lister, Susan; Moore, Michael (eds.). "Goodbye David Lyall". Bricks 'n Pieces (Interview). Vol. 1, no. 3. Wrexham, Clwyd: LEGO UK Ltd. pp. 4–5.
- ↑ Parsons, Niomi (21 April 2022). "Love Wrexham, Love LEGO". Love Wrexham Magazine. Archived from the original on 26 September 2025. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
- ↑ Nicholls, Clive, ed. (December 1974). "The Model Page". Bricks and Pieces. No. 1. Wrexham, Clwyd: British LEGO Ltd. p. 4.
- ↑ Lister, Susan, ed. (Summer 1981). "The David Lyall Spot". Bricks 'n Pieces. Wrexham, Clwyd: LEGO UK Ltd. p. 8.
- ↑ Lister, Susan; Moore, Michael, eds. (Spring 1984). "The Sword in the Stone". Bricks 'n Pieces. Vol. 2, no. 1. Wrexham, Clwyd: LEGO UK Ltd. p. 12.
- ↑ Lister, Susan; Moore, Michael, eds. (Summer 1984). "New Model Designer". Bricks 'n Pieces. Vol. 2, no. 2. Wrexham, Clwyd: LEGO UK Ltd. p. 5.
