Minnesota is home to some quirky world records, including the world’s largest ball of twine and the world’s heaviest carrot. But one colorful creation took nearly 600,000 Lite-Brite pegs to complete.
Tucked away in a building in Minnesota is the Guinness World Record holder for a toy that’s been a childhood staple since 1967. It’s the world’s largest Lite-Brite, and it’s on display at Union Depot in St. Paul.
Minnesota’s Record-Breaking Lite-Brite Mural
In 2013, St. Paul-based artist Ta-coumba T. Aiken was approached by the St. Paul Foundation to create a massive art installation for Union Depot. The twist? They wanted it made from Lite-Brite pegs, a toy he didn’t even like as a kid.
Speaking with KSTP-TV, Aiken said he burned his finger on the original Lite-Brite model, which was backlit by a 40-watt incandescent bulb. The experience left him with a lasting dislike for the toy, until the opportunity (and a paycheck) came calling.
A Colorblind Artist’s Vision Comes to Life
One of the most remarkable aspects of this project is that Aiken is colorblind. Despite not being able to see the full vibrancy of his creation, he designed a massive 23-foot-wide by 9.5-foot-tall mural…