These small, colorful, and versatile bricks offer infinite creative possibilities, allowing the assembly of objects of various shapes and sizes. But how can they be presented at their best? What are the most effective strategies for conserving them, in order to keep them intact over time? Let's find out in this article.
How Beloved Lego Bricks Present Themselves
Before analyzing the best methods to conserve Lego bricks, it's useful to delve a bit into their history, understand how they originated, and the evolutions they've undergone over the years.
The Lego company was founded in distant 1932 in Denmark, and the initial productions mainly focused on wooden toys. Ole Kirk Christiansen, its founder, after a fire caused by his son, decided to start producing smaller toys to make them more quickly.
Lego bricks, as we know them today, began to be produced in plastic and with the ability to be assembled only starting from 1947. They were called Automatic Binding Bricks, but later, with continuous improvements, the name was changed to Lego. This term is a fusion of two Danish words: "Leg" and "Godt," which can be translated as "play well".
The main characteristic of Lego bricks lies in their universal interlocking system. Regardless of the production year, you can use them to create any desired figure. The models released in 2024 are perfectly compatible with versions from 1958, as the cavities and studs remain the same. The company has decided to extend compatibility to different series as well. The interlocking system works so well that some have even thought of building giant Lego bricks for use in construction to build houses in a fraction of the time compared to traditional methods.
One of the strengths of the bricks is their versatility: they can be combined in countless ways. Numerically, a set of 4x2 bricks allows up to 24 interlocks, while larger sets offer even more combinations.
The colors of the bricks vary depending on the model and series chosen, but all minifigures representing characters are made in yellow. This is due to the company's choice not to discriminate against any culture, opting for a neutral color. The only minifigure in black came out in 2003 and was a tribute to Kobe Bryant.
Although the bricks may seem very similar to each other, and we remind you that they are for interlocking, each differs by a recognition number. A small number is printed under each element to inform about the type of mold and production.
As highlighted earlier, Lego bricks are made of plastic, specifically ABS, a resilient polymer with excellent resistance to temperatures and atmospheric agents. In recent years, Lego has decided to invest in sustainable bricks to have less impact on the environment. The company aims to produce only sustainable bricks by 2030.
There is no doubt that Lego bricks produced now are extremely robust, with no competitors in terms of long-term durability. A dedicated study has shown that each Lego piece can support a weight of over 37,000 bricks.
How to Store Assembled Lego Sets
If disassembled Lego bricks can be stored in very small containers, as we'll see later, assembled Lego sets require a bit more attention because they are true collector's items.
If you want to create a display space for your colorful brick creations, plexiglass cases for Lego are the ideal option. The possibility of making custom cases is perfect for preserving and enhancing any type of construction. If you are interested in this type of product, or want some inspiration, I suggest you check out this page where you will find plexiglass cases for Lego of various sizes.
Similar to the above but more expensive and less convenient are multi-tiered display cases. Available in various sizes and dimensions, both in glass and plexiglass, they become a true piece of furniture.
Alternatively, there are wooden boxes, ideal for protecting bricks from direct sunlight and high temperatures; the downside of this type of storage is that the object is not visible.
If you want a simpler solution, you can opt for simple shelves to attach above the desk or near the bed, for example. These solutions have a low cost but do not protect Lego compositions from dust.
How to Store Disassembled Lego Bricks
The creative construction offered by Lego products often clashes with a particularly large number of elements that need to be stored to avoid losing them inadvertently. When you have a significant number of disassembled bricks, it is advisable to divide them into categories. Collectors prefer to divide Lego into categories: color, set, size, and type.
Lego recommends storing disassembled bricks in a dry place where the temperature is not too high. Direct sunlight is also an enemy not to be underestimated, as well as temperatures above 40°C, which can weaken the interlocks.
The best method for storing Lego products depends a lot on the size of the set and how it is organized. You can choose to store the bricks in transparent plastic storage boxes or DIY boxes. Other reliable alternative solutions include food bags, plastic drawers, dedicated Lego containers, minifigure displays, and food containers.
Unfortunately, disassembled bricks can be lost very easily, as they are small; cataloging them in a dry place allows you to have everything at hand when you need it. Properly storing Lego is also necessary to avoid one of the most common inconveniences for parents: stepping on a brick with bare feet, a situation that has become the subject of multiple memes, just like the possibility of bumping a toe against a piece of furniture. Fortunately, there are also those who have thought of creating a soft and edible version of the famous bricks by preparing a recipe for gummy candies in the shape of Lego.