Design story
Louis Poulsen iT desk lamp (model 24580) from 1972. This lamp was designed by Bent Gansel Boysen for Louis Poulsen.
An ideal lamp for any workplace due to its flexible arm and wide light beam.
Louis Poulsen is a Danish lighting manufacturer that was founded in 1874 and they manufacture lamps designed by some of the most influential mid-century designers such as Arne Jacobsen, Poul Henningsen, Verner Panton and many others.
From Wikipedia.org:
In 1874 Ludvig R. Poulsen set up a wine importing business under the name Kjøbenhavns direkte Vin-Import-Kompagni (The Copenhagen Direct Wine Import Company). The firm closed down in 1878. In 1892 Ludvig Poulsen opened his second business, this time selling tools and electrical supplies. In 1896 Ludvig R. Poulsen hired his nephew, Louis Poulsen. Ludvig R. Poulsen died in 1906. His nephew Louis took over the business and, two years later, moved it to Nyhavn 11. Five years later, Sophus Kaastrup-Olsen became a partner in the firm, whose name is changed to Louis Poulsen & Co. In 1914 Louis Poulsen & Co. published its first catalogue – featuring machines and tools. In 1917, Sophus Kaastrup-Olsen bought Louis Poulsen’s share in the firm for 10,000 Danish kroner and became the sole owner of Louis Poulsen & Co.
Designer Poul Henningsen began working together with Louis Poulsen in 1924, with a view to taking part in an international exhibition for decorative art to be held in Paris called “Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs & Industriels Modernes”. A competition was held to find qualified participants: Henningsen was one of the winners. Next year, Poul Henningsen’s lamps earned Gold medals in this exhibition.
In 1926 Louis Poulsen and Poul Henningsen were awarded a contract to provide lighting for the newly constructed Forum building in Copenhagen using the now-legendary PH lamp with three shades system.
Louis Poulsen started marketing light fittings, and its first lighting catalogue was published with descriptions in Danish, German, English and French. In 1941, at the time of World War II, Louis Poulsen & Co. A/S acquired the Laurits Henriksen metal goods factory in Copenhagen and became a manufacturer of lighting fittings.
