Lego™ Miniman: Cultural Icon Turned 30

This morning, my son asked me if I knew that the Lego man was 30 years old. I'd run into that fact earlier, but I didn't know that the Lego minifigure had its own website: Go Miniman Go.

And, more to the point for this blog, I'd completely missed my opportunity to do an anniversary post. So, on the 'better late than ever' principle, here goes.

• Go Miniman Go
  The minifigure's own website
• "The Lego Minifig Turns 30"
  geekdad, Wired Blog Network (August 26, 2008)
  • "On August 25, 1978, the Lego minifigure was born. This was a hugely important transition for Lego. For many years they sold sets allowing builders to create cars or buildings, but something was missing -- a human element. The minifig gave them that humanity, and very quickly it became an iconic symbol of the company second only to the brick itself...."
• "Let's Party! Iconic LEGO Man Toy Turns 30"
  FOXNews (August 25, 2008)
  • "NEW YORK — Happy birthday, LEGO man!
  • "On Monday, one of America's favorite yellow toy figures turns 30 years old. He's having a birthday party, and yes, you're invited.
  • "If you lost touch with him long ago, it's time to catch up with your old childhood friend. Here's what he's been up to: He's held a variety of jobs over the years, from secret agent to superhero, traveled the world, made loads of friends and has been to his share of glitzy parties...."
• "LEGO® Minifigure Turns 30"
  Bionicle™ - BZPower (August 25, 2008)
  • "ENFIELD, Conn. (August 25, 2008) � A global pop culture icon turned 30 today and is celebrating a list of accomplishments and adventures that would overwhelm and astonish any self-described overachiever...."
  • "...Online video, contests, downloads, news, games and more encourage fans to rekindle the joy and adventure the minifigure represented when they were young. The online celebration is happening now at www.GoMinimanGo.com...."
  • "A Legend is Born
    • "In 1973, Godtfred Kirk Christiansen, son of the company founder, challenged designers to add a new dimension of play to the LEGO building experience...."
    • ""...The very first minifigure was a police officer, followed by a fireman, a nurse, astronauts, medieval knights, a gas station attendant and a construction worker...."

Videos from the Go Miniman Go! Website:

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"Go Miniman Go"


YouTube video (1:00)

It's a sort of short music video, showing Miniman: in Star Wars settings, a disco, a street and a subway; playing hockey in the Olympics; inspecting a satellite; skateboarding; and finally at a rock concert.

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"Living in Meatspace"

Living in Meatspace — Gizmodo and Lego Go Miniman Go Contest from Jesus Diaz on Vimeo.

Video (4:41)

This stop-action animation is a short comedy - or maybe a drama - about two young men. Minimen, actually.

One of them is sane, the other has what might charitably be called an active imagination.

Fun. I've watched a few times, so far.