The Ultimate LEGO Book
| The Ultimate LEGO Book | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Reference |
| Publisher | Dorling Kindersley |
Publication date |
|
| Media type | Print (hardcover) |
| Pages | 128 |
| ISBN | 0-7513-5948-3 |
| OCLC | 59410168 |
The Ultimate LEGO Book is a 1999 reference book published by Dorling Kindersley.
Contents
The Ultimate LEGO Book is composed of two-page spreads, each containing multiple images and text boxes detailing a specific subject. The book's sixty spreads are divided into four chapters: "The LEGO Story", detailing the history of LEGO and looking into how LEGO products are created; "LEGO Master Builders", showing the design and construction of LEGO models; "LEGOLANDs – The Parks", diving into the history and features of LEGOLAND parks; and "Imagination Unlimited", looking at art and designed inspired by LEGO.
"The LEGO Story" begins with a forward written by Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen and a brief overview of LEGO as a product and its evolution. The book begins covering the history of LEGO starting with the company's early history, from when Ole Kirk Christiansen began creating wooden toys in 1932 through the end of World War II. Following this is a timeline that spans twelve pages and covers fifty years, from the creation of the earliest Automatic Binding Bricks in 1949 to the book's year of publication in 1999. The timeline itself is covered in LEGO elements used during or introduced in each year, with brief articles on either side of it detailing events in the LEGO Compaby's history. Certain historical events taking place during each time period are also listed alongside the company's history. Following this are sections going into LEGO products outside its traditional building sets, including clothing, video games, and robotics. The chapter ends by looking at how LEGO products are made, starting with a section covering how themes are developed (using Rock Raiders as an example) and followed by six pages detailing how LEGO elements are created and packaged at factories.
"LEGO Master Builders" is next.
"LEGOLANDs – The Parks"
"Imagination Unlimited"
Release
The Ultimate LEGO Book was published in the United Kingdom by Dorling Kindersley, originally priced at £12.99.[1] Prior to and following the book's release, LEGO Adventures! magazine featured photographs and text from the book in its "Behind the Scenes" sections in issues 1–4, 6, 9, and 10. The features showed LEGO model designers constructing models for the Miniland attractions at LEGOLAND California.[2] The magazine advertised that the book was to be published on 26 August 1999, and would be available to order through the Dorling Kindersley Family Library (DKFL)[3] starting 1 May 1999 or from the LEGO Clothes 'n' Stuff store at LEGOLAND Windsor from 1 April.[4] The August 1999 issue of Bricks 'n' Pieces, however, advertised that it was to be released in October.[5]
In the United States, The Ultimate LEGO Book was published by DK Publishing, the American branch of Dorling Kindersley. It was priced at $19.99 and given the item number B500 in LEGO catalogues.[6]
Impact
"The Design Process" is one of the best-remembered sections of The Ultimate LEGO Book; it details some of the development of the LEGO Rock Raiders theme, including concept art, prototype models, and photographs of the theme's developers. This marked one of the first times that behind-the-scenes elements of a LEGO product had been publicly revealed.
References
- ↑ Yeo, Matt, ed. (24 November 1999). "Behind the Scenes". LEGO Adventures!. No. 9. Egmont Fleetway Ltd. pp. 32–33. ISSN 1465-0738.
- ↑ Yeo, Matt, ed. (April 1999). "Behind the Scenes". LEGO Adventures!. No. 1. Egmont Fleetway Ltd. pp. 32–33. ISSN 1465-0738..
- ↑ Klein, Reva (7 July 1995). "Profits from a pyramid of books". TES. Times Supplements Limited. Archived from the original on 12 December 2023.
- ↑ Yeo, Matt, ed. (25 August 1999). "Behind the Scenes". LEGO Adventures!. No. 6. Egmont Fleetway Ltd. pp. 32–33. ISSN 1465-0738..
- ↑ "Can you solve the puzzles and help the Rock Raiders home?". Bricks 'n' Pieces. No. 70. LEGO UK Ltd. August 1999. p. 15.
- ↑ "Stock Up Early on Great Gifts for LEGO Maniacs!". LEGO Shop at Home. LEGO Systems, Inc. Fall 2000. p. 30.
Bibliography
- Pickering, David; Turpin, Nick; Jenner, Caryn, eds. (1999). The Ultimate LEGO Book. London: Dorling Kindersley. ISBN 0-7513-5948-3. OCLC 59410168.
- The Ultimate LEGO Book (1st American ed.). New York: DK Publishing. ISBN 0-7894-4691-X. OCLC 42424971.
External links
- The Ultimate LEGO Book at the Internet Archive (texts to borrow)
- The Ultimate LEGO Book, First American Edition at the Internet Archive (texts to borrow)
