Wilhelm Wagenfeld

Born on April 15, 1900, in Bremen-Walle, Wagenfeld grew up in a household influenced by social democracy. His father, Heinrich Wilhelm Wagenfeld, was a representative of the transport workers at the harbor, which exposed the young Wilhelm early on to the realities of the working class. After completing an apprenticeship as an industrial draftsman at the Bremer Silberwarenfabrik Koch & Bergfeld, he attended the School of Applied Arts in Bremen and later the Drawing Academy in Hanau, where he trained as a silversmith. This solid craftsmanship laid the foundation for his future career.

In 1923, Wagenfeld was accepted as a student at the Bauhaus in Weimar, a revolutionary school that integrated art and craftsmanship. Under the guidance of László Moholy-Nagy in the metal workshop, he developed a profound understanding of the relationship between form and function. During this time, he designed the famous WG 24 table lamp, also known as the "Bauhaus Lamp." Characterized by its clear geometric form and the use of glass and metal, this lamp embodies the Bauhaus principle of functional aesthetics and is still faithfully produced today by Tecnolumen.

After the closure of the Bauhaus in Weimar in 1925, Wagenfeld remained in the city and took on an assistant position in the metal workshop at the State Academy for Handicrafts and Architecture. In 1928, he was appointed head of the department. With the closure of the school in 1930, he began working as a freelance designer for various companies. One of his most notable collaborations was with Jenaer Glaswerke Schott & Gen., where he designed heat-resistant household glassware such as tea sets and baking bowls. His designs were marked by simplicity and functionality, making them highly suitable for industrial mass production.

Between 1935 and 1947, Wagenfeld served as the artistic director of Vereinigte Lausitzer Glaswerke in Weißwasser. During this period, he created numerous glassware designs, including the stackable Kubus dishware, which remains a design classic to this day. His work gained international recognition and was showcased at exhibitions such as the 1937 World Exhibition in Paris and the 1940 Milan Triennale, where it received several awards.

After World War II, Wagenfeld founded the "Werkstatt Wagenfeld" in Stuttgart in 1954, a research and development workshop for industrial models that also served as a training institution. During this time, he collaborated with companies such as Max Braun AG and WMF, continuing his vision of functional and aesthetically refined product design. His creations from this era, including household appliances and cutlery, are characterized by their clear design language and high usability.

Wilhelm Wagenfeld's design approach was based on the conviction that everyday objects should be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. He aimed to create products that were "cheap enough for the worker and good enough for the rich." This democratic understanding of design is reflected in his more than 600 designs, primarily executed in glass and metal. Many of his creations are still in production today and have secured a place in museums and collections worldwide.

A prime example of the timeless relevance of his work is the WG 24 table lamp, which is still produced under license by Tecnolumen in Bremen. Each lamp carries a unique serial number and the Tecnolumen logo, ensuring its authenticity and high-quality craftsmanship. Tecnolumen remains dedicated to Wagenfeld’s legacy and continues to uphold his design principles in its production.

Wilhelm Wagenfeld passed away on May 28, 1990, in Stuttgart. His estate is preserved and exhibited by the Wilhelm Wagenfeld Foundation in Bremen. His work and design philosophy continue to inspire designers worldwide and shape the understanding of functional design to this day.