Danish furniture designer Jens Risom was born in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1916. His father was the prominent architect Sven Risom. Whilst studying at the Copenhagen School of Industrial Arts and Design, Risom was classmates with other renowned designers of his day, including Hans J. Wegner and Borge Mogensen. After his education, Risom began work as a furniture developer and interior designer.   Following a brief stint in New York in 1939, Risom teamed with entrepreneur Hans Knoll and in 1942.  The furniture Risom created for Knoll went on the become design classics, including the Risom Side and Lounge Chairs. Many of Risom's furniture is on display at the Museum of Modern Art, the Yale University Art Gallery and the Brooklyn Museum, amongst others.