Paul Volther

Poul Volther was born Jan. 2, 1923. He served as a Danish furniture designer who highlighted the "functionalist" motif in his designs. Volther studied furniture design at the Arts and Crafts School in Copenhagen. His initial furniture designs focused on the simple crafting of fine materials. Volther also served as a teacher at Denmark's Design School and encouraged hundreds of students to aim for high-quality craftsmanship in their works.

In 1953, Volther created the "Pyramid Chair," which included multiple cushions separated by open spaces. The chair was designed to serve as a cost-effective option, as cushions and other furniture materials were expensive and difficult to obtain after World War II. Although the Pyramid Chair proved to be commercially unsuccessful, Volther designed a similar chair a few years later that proved to be a resounding success.

Volther's "Corona Chair" was unveiled in 1961. The chair included the same design as the Pyramid Chair but also consisted of a wooden skeleton to support a series of oval cushions and gave the chair a seat and rising back. Thus, a person could sit in the Corona Chair comfortably for an extended period of time and relax in multiple positions as well.

In 1964, Volther and furniture designer Erik Jørgensen began marketing the Corona Chair. However, their marketing efforts were unsuccessful at that time. In 1997, Volther and Jørgensen presented an updated version of the Corona Chair at several fairs across the globe. The chair finally was embraced by consumers worldwide and was even used at the 2002 EU Summit in Copenhagen the year after Volther died. Today, the Corona Chair has reached iconic status. It features elliptical, blow-up cushions and remains a top choice for consumers who are searching for an affordable, reliable chair that will serve them well for an extended period of time.

Poul Volther was born Jan. 2, 1923. He served as a Danish furniture designer who highlighted the "functionalist" motif in his designs.

Volther studied furniture design at the Arts and Crafts School in Copenhagen. His initial furniture designs focused on the simple crafting of fine materials. Volther also served as a teacher at Denmark's Design School and encouraged hundreds of students to aim for high-quality craftsmanship in their works.

In 1953, Volther created the "Pyramid Chair," which included multiple cushions separated by open spaces. The chair was designed to serve as a cost-effective option, as cushions and other furniture materials were expensive and difficult to obtain after World War II.

Although the Pyramid Chair proved to be commercially unsuccessful, Volther designed a similar chair a few years later that proved to be a resounding success.

Volther's "Corona Chair" was unveiled in 1961. The chair included the same design as the Pyramid Chair but also consisted of a wooden skeleton to support a series of oval cushions and gave the chair a seat and rising back. Thus, a person could sit in the Corona Chair comfortably for an extended period of time and relax in multiple positions as well.

In 1964, Volther and furniture designer Erik Jørgensen began marketing the Corona Chair. However, their marketing efforts were unsuccessful at that time.

In 1997, Volther and Jørgensen presented an updated version of the Corona Chair at several fairs across the globe. The chair finally was embraced by consumers worldwide and was even used at the 2002 EU Summit in Copenhagen the year after Volther died.

Today, the Corona Chair has reached iconic status. It features elliptical, blow-up cushions and remains a top choice for consumers who are searching for an affordable, reliable chair that will serve them well for an extended period of time.