Paavo Tynell

Paavo Tynell was born in Helsinki, Finland in 1890, just 12 years after the introduction of the lightbulb for domestic use and at a time when most of the nation was without electricity. After studying metalsmithing, he worked for several years as a sheet-metal worker before taking up a blacksmithing apprenticeship where he would create his first brass light fixture.

In 1918, Tynell co-founded Taito Oy, a company which produced light fixtures and other decorative and functional metal objects. As managing director and principal designer, Tynell would work with other leading Finnish artists and designers such as Alvar Aalto and Ville Vallgren. By the 1930s, Taito had transitioned solely to lighting production as electricity became more accessible, and Tynell became a trendsetter of lighting design, particularly in large scale installations in public spaces.

Tynell travelled to the United States in 1948 where he would subsequently gain attention for his bespoke lighting designs for Finland House and the United Nations. These projects propelled him to international renown, and he is remembered today as a pioneer and icon of mid-century lighting design.