Rare look inside the secret Lego Museum

Summary

Billund, Denmark - Millions of people around the world instantly recognize the look, the feel — especially under foot — and even the sound of LEGO. The plastic blocks have shaped childhood memories for generations. At the company's home in Denmark, decades of those experiences are captured inside a secret museum that only LEGO employees can access. CBS News, however, got a rare look inside that little-known museum, where it was possible to trace the evolution of one of the world's most recognizable and beloved toys.The museum sits next to the original home of LEGO's founder, Ole Kirk Kristiansen — a reminder of the toy giant's humble beginnings. The brand's name reflects its philosophy: "LEGO" comes from the Danish phrase "leg godt," or "play well." Inside the museum are some of the very first LEGO bricks, including pieces that date back to the 1950s. Among the earliest creations housed there is the first LEGO "system" that was ever assembled — a small town that laid the foundation for everything the company would go on to build. That system — the idea that every LEGO brick, regardless of when it was made, can connect — dates back to 1955, when the company assembled that first play town. Over the decades, LEGO creations have evolved from medieval villages to mind-blowing architectural feats. The collection features vintage sets that continue functioning as they were designed to, many decades later, including a working drawbridge castle from the 1970s. But there's been no shortage of evolution, either. From the early designs, LEGO's builds have grown increasingly ambitious and sophisticated. A LEGO duck. CBS Saturday Morning Along with the classics, the museum showcases intricate creations ranging from miniatures of iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower to LEGO flower bouquets. Other pieces have evolved from LEGO's own sub-brands. Many of today's parents will be familiar, for instance, with armies of tiny characters from the modern kids' TV fantasy superhero show...