Lindberg is one of the oldest plastic model makers in the U.S.. Paul Lindberg established his reputation as a designer of balsa wood flying models before World War II and was well known for his articles and plans for flying model aircraft in the 1940's-1950's. Immediately after the war (about 1947) Lindberg partnered with a Mr. Olsen (perhaps the money-man) in a company they called O-lin (Olsen-Lindberg). The first O-lin model airplane was a P-80B which would live for decades as Lindberg's F-80C.

In about 1948-49 O-lin added the Piper Cub, Republic Seabee and six racing cars to their line. In addition they purchased the mold for the Empire Stinson.

After a rough start - for all model makers - O-lin found success when their kits were carried by Woolworths and, subsequently, by other mass market stores. A survey in Boy's Life Magazine in the 1950's found that over 80% of the boys who responded listed model building as their hobby. Lindberg was in an excellent position to take advantage of the new found popularity of plastic kits. Gordon Varney, a pioneer in the modelling industry, sold his ship and plane molds to O-lin and focused on railroad models, long a mainstay of the company.

Paul Linberg bought out his partner and began marketing his kits, formerly under the O-lin brand, as "The Lindberg Line".

Today the Lindberg line of model kits continues under the stewardship of J. Lloyd International, also the owner of Hawk and Empire models, another two of the pioneeers of American modelling.