The Colors

For many years, LEGO bricks were epitomized by the primary colors in which they were available: red, yellow, and blue. In fact, in 1958, when the original patent was issued for the knob and tube design (which defined the modern LEGO brick), only seven different colors were being made: white, black, red, blue, yellow, green, and clear. Of course, today’s sets are being released with colors that include mossy green, maroon, pale blue, dark grey, bright orange, and even pink!

Given LEGO’s original color limitations, builders had to improvise to create new colors from the limited existing ones. The trick they developed to create new colors was to place one or more colors next to each other to create a sense of blending. For example, a white brick may take on a subtle grey tone when placed next to a black element. Similarly, a yellow piece will shift slightly toward the orange part of the color spectrum when placed next to a red brick.