Poul Henningsen was a pioneering expert in lighting theory and its use in interior design. Although he was formally trained as an architect, he is probably best remembered for his work with lights. His impact on home and office lighting can be seen today.

To gain insight into his unique perspective on electric lighting, it is helpful to examine his early years. Henningsen was born in 1894 and grew up in a modest but happy home, lit by the soft glow of gas lamps instead of electric lighting. This was obviously the norm for small-town life without electricity at the turn of the century.

When he began working as an architect, he received the opportunity to see and visit many buildings with electric lighting. He was frightened and rejection of form and function with these lights. He disliked how they got their surroundings look and feel. He felt that his time lighting seemed ugly, hard, brilliant, and quite unpleasant to experience.

Read more ... PH 5 - A revolutionary lamp from a revolutionary designer

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Poul Henningsen became Denmark's first expert in lighting theory. He was also a prominent cultural and literary personalities during his lifetime. Although he was a man of much talent and knowledge, he is best known for his lamps. His influence at home and kontorsbelysnings shape, style and culture can be seen today.

To gain insight into the Henningsen's work is an examination of his early years and help. Poul Henningsen was born 1894, son of a writer and a satirist. He spent a pleasant childhood in an open-minded home, with regular contact with visiting high-skilled and author. A special thing about his childhood was that it was lit by electric light, but instead the soft glow of gas lamps. It was of course the standard of small town life without electricity at the turn of the century.

Read more ... Poul Henningsen - A Danish designers' life and biography

Other Blogs about: lighting , Danish furniture , lamps , PH5 , Poul Henningsen