Duplo (Lego)

Lego currently makes Duplo sets licensed with Dora the Explorer, Bob the Builder, and Thomas the Tank Engine characters as well as a new castle theme. On March 14, 2003, it was reported by the BBC that a Welsh judge expelled a potential juror from the courtroom for wearing one of the fcuk range of T-shirts, saying that the " 'mis-spelt Anglo Saxon word' was a distraction and did not dignify the court proceedings." [[4]]. As of 2005 there are currently two other Duplo-related Lego systems:. A trademark infringement case brought by French Connection against the political youth organisation Conservative Future, which had adopted the spoof abbrevation 'cfuk' (short for 'Conservative Future UK'), was thrown out by a judge on the grounds that French Connection's 'fcuk' was merely an offensive misspelling and so not worthy of genuine trademark status.^{[citation needed]}. In the 2004 spring catalog there was a reminder that Duplo was now called Explorer, but that fall the well known Duplo name was back yet again with a new rabbit logo.
. The name Duplo was dropped again in favor of Explore in 2002. In the United States, their fcuk brand has been extremely controversial: many stores, such as Neiman Marcus and Robinsons-May, refuse to carry the brand, while many parents argue that the shirt's messages could harm their children.

1993 brought a grey rail train system with a stop and start track. It predominately sells its clothing through its own stores, though many other shops stock its ranges. These used internal screws to stay together. French Connection has distributing stores worldwide. In 1992, Duplo Toolo was introduced. Family-oriented locations like Walt Disney World Resort have policy against such clothing with the brand's abbreviated name and ask guests to change their clothing, or turn it inside out. This included a Duplo people mother, father, and smaller child. The company recently announced that the 'fcuk' label is to be phased out.

In 1986, a Duplo doll house with sliding doors was introduced. French Connection fully exploited this and printed out t-shirts with messages such as 'fcuk this', 'hot as fcuk', 'mile high fcuk', 'fcuk me', 'too busy to fcuk', 'fcuk fear' and more. Also in 1983, set number 2700 was introduced with a model of a steam engine with two train cars. [3]. These figures have a moveable head, arms, and legs and look like large Lego minifigures, but the Duplo people cannot be taken apart for safer handling by small children. Though they insisted it was an acronym for French Connection United Kingdom, its similarity to the word fuck caused controversy. In 1983, other Duplo figures appeared, often called Duplo people. In April 1997, French Connection began branding their clothes 'fcuk' (usually written in lower case).

The name Duplo was brought back in 1979 along with a new Duplo logo with a rabbit. . The new sets included figures, doors, and 2 by 6 knob wagons that could act as a car or train. It was founded in 1969 and sells menswear, womenswear, childrenwear and accessories aimed at a youthful demographic. Another new brick was a half arch. French Connection is a clothing company that originated in the United Kingdom, but is now available worldwide. They included a head and body, but had no legs.

Small figures the size of 2 by 2 knobs were introduced as well. In 1977 the Duplo name was dropped in favor of Lego Preschool. With these new Duplo sets, Lego is targeting children 1½ years old with the idea that when the children reach 3 the Duplo bricks can be used together with Lego bricks. This wagon, and its coupler system, is still sold today.

New additions included a round-topped 2 by 2 knob brick and a small 4-wheel wagon with two rows of 6 knobs. In 1975 Duplo became its own product, with five sets made up exclusively of Duplo bricks. In 1972, the Duplo brick with 2 rows of 2 knobs was introduced and continues to be included in sets today. In the product catalog for 1971, the sets were targeted at children from 1 to 2 years, but still sold mixed with Lego bricks, normally designed for ages 3 to 12.

The following year, two more sets were added with blue and red wheel plates with 4 rows of 8 knobs. The number 510 has been reused to name other Lego sets. Both sets were designed to target younger children. Set number 510 had 9 Duplo bricks mixed with 8 Lego bricks, while set 511 had 19 Duplo bricks and 8 Lego bricks.

The knobs stick out less than current Duplo bricks, and the holes had four tags for a better grip with traditional Lego bricks. The bricks were available in four colors: red, yellow, blue, and white. The first Duplo bricks, with 2 rows of 4 knobs, appeared in 1969. The most common sets are the farm, zoo, police station, fire station, airplane, and train sets.

Many Duplo sets have reappeared multiple times over the years. The Duplo product line changes from year to year — even the name Duplo had been dropped twice. Since 1977, Duplo has made sets with figures, cars, and houses. Despite their size, they are still compatible with traditional Lego bricks.

Duplo bricks are twice the size of traditional Lego bricks, and are easier to handle for younger children. Duplo is a version of Lego bricks from the well known Danish toy company, LEGO Group. Baby bricks can be stacked on Quatro, Duplo, or Lego bricks but the large rounded knob prevents other systems from stacking on it. It has a single large round knob and is twice the size of Lego Quatro, making it four times the size of Duplo or eight times the scale of Lego bricks.

Lego Baby (formerly called Primo) is for children as young as 6 months. These bricks are twice the size of the Duplo bricks and can be used together with Duplo bricks. Lego Quatro is for children 1 to 3 years old.