W.H. Gispen (1890-1981) was a designer of tubular steel furniture and lamps. In the twenties and thirties of the twentieth century his designs were modern, and still can be seen as timeless. He was in the avantguard of the functional and aesthetic design and combined his artistic talent with a good sense for business. His small forge (from 1916 in Rotterdam) grew into a huge plant (from 1934 in Culemborg) of residential and office furniture. Later series were produced in mass quantities. Today, Gispen office furniture since 1989 is called Gispen International BV. The designer W.H. Gispen left the company in 1949.
