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. [img]http://cache.etopps.com/images/cards/025-00344fd.jpg[/img]. As of 2005 there are currently two other Duplo-related Lego systems:. This facet of the program has attracted investors in addition to sports card collectors. 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. Card values are tracked from actual sales on the eBay trading floor, giving each collector an up-to-the-minute portfolio value. The name Duplo was dropped again in favor of Explore in 2002. If collectors would rather take delivery of their cards, etopps will ship them the cards for a small fee.

1993 brought a grey rail train system with a stop and start track. Card owners can then hold their cards in an online portfolio, while Topps retains physical possession of their cards in a climate-controlled warehouse in Delaware. These used internal screws to stay together. Collectors are then allocated a number of cards based on the number of orders for each particular card. In 1992, Duplo Toolo was introduced. This new method of distribution contrasts with the traditional sale of sports cards through packs at retail stores. This included a Duplo people mother, father, and smaller child. Each week a limited number of sports cards, called IPOs, are offered for sale exclusively online.

In 1986, a Duplo doll house with sliding doors was introduced. Etopps is a new type of trading card that was launched by the Topps company in 2000. Also in 1983, set number 2700 was introduced with a model of a steam engine with two train cars. 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. In 1983, other Duplo figures appeared, often called Duplo people.

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. Another new brick was a half arch. 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.