Poul Henningsen was the first person to pursue a scientific approach to light and use the logarithmic spiral as a basis. By creating a design based on the logarithmic spiral, he achieved even distribution of light over the entire curve of the shade. This even light distribution, together with the diffused reflection through the glass, made it possible to control glare and shadow. The 4½-4 Pendant in its current form was introduced in 1980. The elegant light source is perfect for hanging above a dining table or clustered over a work surface.
Poul Henningsen is an integral figure in lighting design and architecture, whose revolutionary views on the utilisation of light in the home led to a number of ground-breaking designs.
Collaborating with Louis Poulsen in 1924/25, Henningsen produced the first version of the seminal PH multi-shade lamp, a classic piece of modern lighting design, featuring separate elements which are shaped and assembled in such a way that the bulb is covered and light is directed downward, creating a soft, diffused effect.
Henningsen was aware of the importance of light in urban life, but sought a way to subdue the harshness of electric light while harnessing its mood-altering properties, believing that the aesthetic of an interior is highly dependent on how light is used.
