LEGO—Not Just For Kids

Dan Steininger has every kid's dream job—he plays with LEGO for a living. And on Monday, he was at Waterford Public Library showing about 100 kids and 50 adults the tricks of his trade.  

Steininger is one of just a handful of master model builders who works for LEGO in Enfield. His son is another. But though his son followed in his father's footsteps, Steininger credits his son for getting him started. 

"I started about 20 years ago but my son got me into it when he started playing with LEGO," Steininger said. "I have a background in art and sculpture [so to me] it was just a different medium." 

Steininger's LEGO creations are sculptural in nature. For demonstration purposes yesterday, he brought along a model he'd made of one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. His lesson was more focused on the rudiments of basic building, however. The kids spread their LEGOs on the floor to practice "interlocking"—building a wall as a bricklayer would—and using symmetry to create balance.

Although the presentation was geared toward kids, Steininger said "there's plenty of adult who still love playing with LEGO." 

Indeed, this week, LEGO unveiled a new line of architecturally-based products specifically geared for adults. The new line, which will be widely available on Thursday, includes LEGO kits to enable adults to recreate architectural landmarks such as the leaning tower of Pisa and modern architectural marvels by the likes of Frank Lloyd Wright.  

"My wife's family for years asked me when I was going to get a real job," said Steininger. "They don't ask me that any more."