The Lego Group world's largest toy company by revenue, with sales amounting to US$2.1 billion, surpassing Mattel, which had US$1.9 billion in sales. On 11 August 2017, Lego announced that Niels B. Christiansen would become the new CEO, effective 1 October of the same year. The history of Lego spans nearly 100 years, beginning with the creation of small wooden playthings during the early 20th century. Manufacturing of plastic Lego bricks began in Denmark in 1947, but since has grown to include factories throughout the world. In 1961, Lego was managed by Samsonite until 1972 in the United States and 1986 in Canada.
Belville (Lego) tend to have colors not typically found in traditional sets (e.g., pink, purple). Many bricks also have unique features such as embedded glitter. Belville figures are larger than the minifigure, but their feet can still attach to traditional Lego pieces. The figures have more points of articulation, and more overall detail than traditional minifigures. Some sets include clothing and other fabric accessories for the figures. The Lego Group also sold other items under the Belville trademark such as ice cube trays with unique shapes, and purses. Belville (Lego) Belville was a product range of the Lego construction toy designed to