Hans Bergström

It was in a Copenhagen milk bar that a newly graduated arts student and his girlfriend decided on a name for their new business. Swedes Hans Bergström from Karlshamn and Verna Norell with roots in Åhus had acquired premises in Helsingborg’s craftsman’s quarter. The idea was to make lamps and weave rugs. Hans would look after the lamp making and Verna would be in charge of the weaving workshop. The Swedish words for workshop and lamp combined to form the name – ateljé Lyktan. The business soon took off and Hans and Verna’s workshop was overrun with customers wanting to buy lamps and craft textiles. The lamps were especially popular. Hans Bergström’s luminaires achieved international distribution and his lamps were even represented at the Museum Of Modern Art in New York. The designer created lighting installations for the Students Union in Lund which attracted attention both at home and abroad. One of his most treasured awards on the luminaire side was obtained at the tenth Milan Triennale in 1954. A cone-shaped luminaire in plastic, Model 181, was awarded a prize for its simplicity and grace. This luminaire is popularly known as the ”Cone”.