Hans J. Wegner

Born: 1914 - Died: 2007
Best-known works: "The Pendant" cable lift pendant lamp, Opala lamp series, Wishbone chair, Chinese chair, "The Chair"
Training: Designer                                                  

Background
Hans J. Wegner was born in 1914 in Tønder, Denmark. At the age of 22 in 1936 he was accepted as a student at Kunsthåndværkerskolen – The School of Arts and Crafts, now part of The Danish Design School – a place he later returned to as an instructor. In 1943 Wegner opened his own design studio and created the Chinese chair, which – along with the round chair from 1949 – formed the foundation for much of his later work. The round chair later came to be known as The Chair after it was used by John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon in a televised presidential debate. While The Chair is unquestionably one of the greatest icons of Wegner’s extensive output, many feel that the Wishbone chair from 1950 was actually his greatest commercial success.

Hans J. Wegner was also a gifted lamp designer. His famous cable lift lamp from 1962, The Pendant, has been in production ever since. Both the cable lift pendant and his futuristic Opala series – originally designed in the 70’s for Hotel Scandinavia in Copenhagen – are now produced as part of Pandul’s product line. Hans J. Wegner won numerous international prizes throughout his career and in 1997 was awarded an honorary doctorate by The Royal College of Art in London.