It started at a friend's 21st birthday in 2013.
Alex McIntyre's friend created a Lego head for the party.
Mr McIntyre, a lifelong fan of Lego, thought it was "fantastic" — and asked whether he could have it afterwards.
Keen to see it put to good use, Mr McIntyre decided to wear the Lego head while walking around Mount Gambier's crown jewel — the Blue Lake.
"People loved it, it was joyful. A little boy asked his mum, 'Why doesn't he have a full suit?' Hence the suit was created," Mr McIntyre said.
The first generation Human Lego Man suit consisted of foam and was put together with a lot of sewing help from his mum, Olivia Reiter.
While strong, the suit was thicker and heavier than the one you will see him in today.
"My mum was a big inspiration because having someone there with you allows you to be happy ... I'd glue at night and she'd sew to keep it strong and rigid," Mr McIntyre said.
When Mr McIntyre's mum was diagnosed with cancer in 2015, he decided to auction off his suit to raise funds for the Cancer Council.
A year later, his mum died.
"It's been seven years since mum hasn't been around but mum's always with [me]," Mr McIntyre said.
Come November 2021, it was time to dust off the Human Lego Man suit. Or rather, make a new one, out of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, which is often used by cosplayers.
"I was isolated from the pandemic and it was more fun to see people smile than to be sad," Mr McIntyre said.
Since then, Mr McIntyre has been making regular trips to the Mount Gambier precinct and surrounding towns in his Lego suit, often walking the main street for 20 or so minutes.
"Oh, it's fantastic, you have these honks, waving out the windows. People stop you for photos," Mr McIntyre said.
"Even grown-ups get into it. It's always great to see that young, medium, middle and old enjoy this.
"The smiles bring me so much joy."
With the suit on he feels like Iron Man — empowered.
"I personally have autism. So in crowds, I have to back away sometimes," Mr McIntyre said.
"But with this, my autism seems like it's not here. I feel like I'm a normal person.
"I think I'll continue to keep going for many years to come."
Mr McIntyre said the suit wasn't just special to him.
"It's more a community suit than my suit," he said.
And he had a message for Human Lego Man's supporters, many of whom follow him online.
"Thanks for accepting me, and thanks to my friends that have helped me and the support workers that helped me to build this."
