Arne Jacobsen was born in Copenhagen, February 11, 1902; died March 24, 1971. He started his career as a craftsman, studying as a mason at the School of Applied Arts from 1917 to 1924. From 1924-27, he studied architecture at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. He started his own practice in 1930.

Jacobsen was one of the most prominent designers in Denmark, and won the grand prize at both the Biennal de Sao Paulo, Brazil (1953) and the Milan XI Triennale of 1957. Along with Poul Kjaerholm and Verner Panton, Jacobsen represents one of three distinct schools of postwar Denmark - the industrial designers. Jacobsen was one of the leading designers of mass produced furnishings, using new industrial materials and international marketing.

Jacobsen is most famous for his chairs made by Fritz Hansen; namely, the "Egg" chair and "Swan" chair, designed for the SAS Hotel in Copenhagen, which are still mass produced for sales to the public today. Influenced by Charles and Ray Eames and Alvar Aalto, he created designs using molded plywood, from which his now-famous "ant" chairs (model 3100) of 1952 were made, and his model 4130 chair of 1955. He also designed for a number of other Danish furniture companies, designing sofas, tables, desks and sectional seating, made of wood and metal. Starting in the 1950s he also designed many household items such as modern "AJ" flatware for A. Michelson, and lamps for Louis Poulsen and Company.

sources: Design 1935-1965 What Modern Was edited by Martin Eidelberg.

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