Trained as an architect, Poul Henningsen became one of the most influential figures in modern lighting design through his long collaboration with Louis Poulsen. Growing up in a Danish town without electricity, he was deeply inspired by the warm glow of gaslight, which he later sought to recreate using electric lighting. This pursuit led to a scientifically driven approach to design, most famously realized in his PH Lamp series.

Developed in the 1920s, the PH Lamp used concentric, reflective metal shades carefully proportioned to eliminate glare and distribute light evenly. First recognized at the 1925 International Exposition of Decorative Arts in Paris, the design entered production shortly after and remains in continuous demand today. Henningsen later expanded this principle into sculptural works like the Artichoke Lamp, reinforcing his legacy as a designer who merged scientific precision with warmth, atmosphere, and human-centred lighting.