Poul Henningsen

Poul Henningsen, born on September 9, 1894, in Ordrup, Denmark, and passing away on January 31, 1967, in Hillerød, was a Danish author, critic, architect, and designer. Often referred to by his initials "PH", he was one of the most influential figures in Danish cultural life between the two world wars. He is best known for his PH series of lamps, designed to diffuse soft, glare-free light.

The son of writer Agnes Henningsen, Poul grew up in an intellectual environment. He studied at the Technical School of Copenhagen and the Technical University of Denmark, initially training as an architect, although he never obtained a formal degree. In the 1920s, he turned to lighting design, a passion that would define his career.

In 1925, Henningsen presented his "Paris" lamp at the International Exhibition of Decorative Arts and Modern Industries in Paris, winning a gold medal. This lamp, composed of six silver shades, was one of his first iconic designs.

In 1926, he began a long-lasting collaboration with Danish lighting manufacturer Louis Poulsen, a partnership that continued throughout his life. Together, they produced iconic lighting pieces, including the PH5 lamp in 1958 and the Artichoke lamp in the same year. These designs became symbols of modern lighting design and are still in production today.