Godtfred Kirk Christiansen

G. K. Christiansen
2nd Leader of The Lego Group
In office
11 March 1958 (1958-03-11) – 1973 (1973)
Preceded byOle Kirk Christiansen
Succeeded byVagn Holck Andersen
Personal details
Born(1920-07-08)8 July 1920
Billund, Denmark
Died13 July 1995(1995-07-13) (aged 75)
Billund, Denmark
Resting placeGrene Churchyard, Billund, Denmark
Spouse
Edith Kirk Christiansen
(m. 1944; died 1995)
Children3; including Kjeld
Parent
RelativesAgnete Kirk Thinggaard (granddaughter)
OccupationBusinessperson
Known forManaging Director of the Lego Group.

Godtfred Kirk Christiansen (8 July 1920 – 13 July 1995)[1] was the managing director of The Lego Group from 1957 to 1973. He was the third son of company founder Ole Kirk Christiansen and took over as managing director in 1957, eventually becoming the sole owner. Godtfred is credited with playing a pivotal role in the development of the Lego brick design and patented it in 1958. He also created the Lego System in Play, the cornerstone of the Lego construction toy. Godtfred stepped down as Leader of the company in 1973. His son Kjeld Kirk Christiansen became president in 1979.

  1. ^ "Godtfred Kirk Christiansen". www.gravsted.dk. Archived from the original on 2015-11-17. Retrieved 2015-11-14.