LEGO Colors & the 2x4 Brick Collecting Trend

LEGO bricks like the 2x4 and 2x2 were originally released in a simple color pallet of primary colors, black and white, soon followed by two shades of grey, green, tan, brown and orange. Clear plastic was also used from the beginning.

As the years went on into the late 80's and 90's new transparent colors joined the ranks, things really got going at the turn of the century with additional shades and tints of most colors already in use.

Long story short, financial trouble forced LEGO to slash their extended rainbow of plastic colors and restructure their product lines. As the company recovered and soon reached new heights of growth, new hues have returned on a yearly basis.

Mustang on a Cliff MOC: https://www.flickr.com/photos/1433468...
Mill Yard picture #1: http://c.o0bg.com/lifestyle/travel/20...
Mill Yard picture #2: https://www.flickr.com/photos/7963264...