Born in 2.6.1915 Hanko, Finland
Died in 19.5.1985 Helsinki, Finland

. graduated from Institute of Industrial Arts of Helsinki in 1936, studied sculpture,
. shared the first prize with Kaj Frank in a glassware design competition organized by Iittala in 1947,
. worked for Finnish glassware company Iittala from 1946 until his death
. designed blown-glass Kantarelli vases in 1946, inspiring from chanterelle mushrooms.
. also famous with his laminated wood leaf-shaped bowls and furniture,
. became well-known in international scale with his work exposed at the Milan Triennials in 1951 and 1954,
. the artistic director of Institute of Industrial Arts of Helsinki between 1950-1954,
. worked for Raymond Loewy in his New York office between 1955-1956,
. designed for Venini (glass), Rosenthal (ceramics), Hackman (knives) and Airam (lighting)
. the natural environment of Lapland greatly influenced much of his work,
. in his designs he combined expressive organic forms with traditional craftsman; created important examples of Scandinavian Modernism.
. his works exposed in the Milan Triennial (1951, 1954, 1960, 1963), the World Fair, Brussels in 1957 and the Domus Golden Obelisk, Milan in1963.
. awarded by the honorary titles of Honorary Royal Designer for Industry, London in1964; doctor honoris causa from Royal College of Arts, London in 1971; honorary membership of Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, London in 1971; Member of the Finnish Academy in1972.

Awards:
Milano triennale Italy 1951, 1954, 1960 and 1963
Lunning prize, 1951
House Beautiful, USA 1951
World Fair in Brussels, Belgium 1957
Society of Industrial Arts, England 1958
Museum of Contemporary Crafts, USA 1960
The International Badische Ainilin und Sodafabrik; Germany
The Golden Obelisk, Domus Italia 1963
Faenze Italy 1963, 1966, 1967, 1969 and 1973
Vicenza, Italy 1963, 1966 and 1967
Suomen kulttuurirahasto 1968
TEOSTO 1980
Prince Eugen's Medal, Sweden 1980

Famous Works:
Kantarelli vases, 1946 for Iittala
Laminated wood chair, 1955
Finlandia vodka bottles, Iceberg vase, Ultima Thule crystal object