What Is the Oldest LEGO Set Ever Made?

Introduction

When LEGO fans ask “What’s the oldest LEGO set ever made?”, the answer isn’t as simple as it sounds — it depends on how you define a LEGO set.

In this article, we’ll explore the fascinating origins of LEGO, from the very first Automatic Binding Bricks of the 1940s to the first LEGO set ever made under the LEGO System in the 1950s. We’ll uncover how these creations laid the foundation for modern LEGO history — and why collectors today still treasure them.

💡 Brickox Tip: Modern collectors often showcase vintage LEGO sets in Brickox premium acrylic display cases, designed to preserve delicate historical models while adding a museum-quality finish.

II. Defining “Oldest” — Two Eras in LEGO History

1. The Pre-System Era (1940s–1950s)

Before LEGO became the global creative powerhouse it is today, it experimented with early plastic pieces called Automatic Binding Bricks, first released between 1949 and 1950.

These bricks were the first LEGO-related products ever made — though they didn’t yet carry the “LEGO System” name. Made in Billund, Denmark, these early prototypes became the cornerstone of modern LEGO history.

2. The LEGO System in Play Era (1955 onward)

By 1955, LEGO introduced the System in Play, which standardized building elements, added instructions, and introduced themed playsets.
The first LEGO set ever made under this new system marked the start of LEGO as we know it — colorful, creative, and endlessly modular.

💡 Context Tip: Collectors and historians draw a key distinction between “the first LEGO brick” (Automatic Binding Brick) and “the first LEGO set ever made” (System in Play). Both are historically significant, but each represents a different chapter of LEGO’s evolution.

III. The Earliest Bricks — Automatic Binding Bricks (1949–1950)

Overview

Invented by LEGO founder Ole Kirk Christiansen and his son Godtfred Kirk Christiansen, these early pieces were molded from cellulose acetate plastic.
They looked similar to today’s LEGO bricks but lacked the interior tubes that give modern pieces their iconic interlocking clutch power.

Key Facts

Produced: 1949–1950

Notable Feature: Hollow bricks without tight connection

Historical Value: Considered the ancestor of the modern LEGO brick

These early models weren’t sold as boxed sets, but they represent the very beginning of LEGO history — the foundation of everything LEGO would become.

💡 Collector Insight: Surviving examples are extremely rare. Collectors protect them in Brickox archival display cases with UV-blocking acrylic to prevent fading and degradation — a must for serious fans of vintage LEGO sets.

IV. The First Official LEGO System Sets (1955–1957)

When LEGO perfected its interlocking brick design, it launched the LEGO System in Play — officially marking the debut of the first LEGO set ever made for the modern era.

Key Early Sets

1. LEGO Set 700/1 Building Set (1955)

Widely recognized as the oldest LEGO set ever made.

Included small, colorful bricks for simple house-building.

Featured printed building guides — a first for LEGO.

2. LEGO Town Plan (1955–1956)

Introduced the concept of themed play.

Included road plates, cars, and buildings — essentially the first LEGO city system.

3. LEGO Sets 700/2 & 700/3 (1956–1957)

Expanded on the 700/1 concept with larger part counts and more building flexibility.

These early releases transformed LEGO from a simple toy into a creative system, establishing the foundation for all vintage LEGO sets collectors know today.

💡 Display Tip: Early LEGO System boxes are fragile and collectible. Many collectors use Brickox modular display cases for protection — their crystal-clear panels and dustproof seals are ideal for showcasing LEGO history safely and elegantly.

V. How Collectors Define “Oldest”

Two Collector Perspectives

Historical Purists:

Identify the Automatic Binding Bricks (1949) as the true oldest LEGO set ever made in concept.

View these as the origin of LEGO’s design innovation.

System Collectors:

Recognize LEGO Set 700/1 (1955) as the first LEGO set ever made for the System in Play era.

See it as the first fully packaged, market-ready LEGO set.

Either way, these eras define major turning points in LEGO history, making both equally significant.

💡 Collector Tip: Rare pieces and early boxed sets should always be stored in Brickox UV-protected acrylic enclosures to maintain color and condition — especially for vintage LEGO sets from the 1950s.

VI. Milestones in LEGO’s Early Evolution