The Record is back in Denmark
Press release
Billund, July 1, 2011
After thousands of building hours the guests in LEGOLAND finally reached the height of 31.39 metres, which was needed to break the record; the world's largest LEGO® tower is now back in Denmark.
From Tuesday, June 28 until Friday July 1, the court at the main entrance at LEGOLAND Billund, was filled with LEGO enthusiasts in every age, who contributed to build the world’s largest LEGO Tower. Delayed by windy weather the last brick was placed Friday, July 1, at 7.30 pm, in nearly 32 metres height by Olli the Dragon, one of the park’s characters.
The new world record is officially measured to be 31.39 metres.
-It’s due to the guests that we brought back the world record to Denmark. Some built for several days, while others used the building sight as a break between the rides in the park. Everyone is part of the new record, Claus Pedersen, Event manager at LEGOLAND, tells happily.
The weather almost got in the way
Right until the end it was unknown whether LEGOLAND would be able to beat the record, Friday as planned. The weather conditions made it difficult for the builders to place the bricks.
-The tower is very stable and is perfectly capable to handle the wind. The problem was that the wind made it very hard to mount the final elements in 32 metres height, because the tower sways in the wind. Luckily, the wind abated so our brave dragon, Olli, could place the last brick at 7.30 pm, Claus Pedersen tells.
The world's largest LEGO Tower can be seen at the entrance to LEGOLAND over the weekend July 2 - 3. The tower will be taken down on Monday July 4. It will take 30 people 8 hours.
For further information please contact PR- & press manager Jonas Søndergård, phone: +45 7950 1801 or e-mail jonson@LEGOLAND.dk
Background
o The official name for the tower is LEGO World Record Tower.
o The attempt to break the record was set June 28 – July 1,
o The idea about the record tower came from LEGO England in 1968. LEGO Denmark took over the project in 1988.
Construction
o 500.000 LEGO bricks were used to build the tower
o The building area measured more than 100 square metres
o The tower was built on a 6.25 square metre foundation. It weighted ½ ton
o The tower was stabled by wires that each had a heavy 1.200 kg. stable point
o The guests in LEGOLAND built elements by following a construction guide, and constructors placed the final elements on the tower
o About 1.000 LEGO builders contributed to break the record
o Every builder received a diploma for their participation
o Monday July 4, the tower was taken down. It took 30 people 8 hours.
Records
o The former record was held by Brazil, who in April 2011 built a 31.19 metres high LEGO tower
o The first record was set in England in 1980, where the tower measured 13.1 metres. Since then, many countries have been competing to break the record.