Poul Henningsen

Poul Henningsen (1894–1967) was a Danish designer, architect, writer, and cultural critic, and one of the most influential figures in the history of modern lighting design. Trained as an architect but largely self-taught in engineering and optics, Henningsen approached lighting as a scientific and human-centered discipline. His lifelong goal was to create artificial light that was comfortable, functional, and suited to everyday life, avoiding glare and harsh contrasts.

In the 1920s, Henningsen developed the revolutionary PH multi-shade system, based on mathematical calculations that control the direction and diffusion of light. This system led to some of the most iconic lighting designs of the 20th century, including the PH 5 pendant, the sculptural PH Artichoke, the PH Snowball, and a wide range of PH table, floor, and wall lamps. Produced in close collaboration with Louis Poulsen, these lamps introduced a new standard for glare-free illumination and remain central to Danish design culture.

Beyond lighting, Poul Henningsen was a highly influential public intellectual. He wrote extensively on architecture, design, politics, and society, advocating for functionalism, social responsibility, and cultural openness. He believed that design should serve people rather than prestige, and that good lighting was essential to well-being and democratic living.