Danish-American furniture designer Jens Risom was born on May 8, 1916. He exemplified mid-century modern design in his works and was one of the first to bring this design aesthetic to the United States. Risom initially studied at Copenhagen's School for Arts and Crafts and designed furniture for Kaare Klint and architect Ernst Kuhn. He emigrated from Denmark to the United States to study contemporary American furniture design in 1939.

In 1941, Risom designed one of the first chairs manufactured by the Knoll furniture company. The chair included a birch frame and surplus parachute straps, giving it a one-of-a-kind look and feel. This chair was featured as part of the Jean Risom collection, a series of furniture that was highlighted in one of the first Knoll catalogs.

Risom served in the army during World War II, and Knoll continued to successfully market the simple, well-crafted modern furniture designed by Risom over the next several years. Risom returned to civilian life in 1946 and opened Jens Risom Design, a design firm that reflected the Danish approach to modernism. Knoll continues to produce Risom's works, and his pieces remain popular choices worldwide. Meanwhile, Risom served as head of Jens Risom Design for about 25 years, creating works that emphasized traditional values and the human need for warmth, beauty and simplicity.