Paul McCobb, 1917-1969

As a young man, Paul McCobb moved from Boston to New York to pursue his dream of becoming a designer. McCobb was completely self taught with no formal design education, but his profound understanding of perspective paved the way for his career as one of the most important designers of his time, an American midcentury design icon.

Perspective and scale in particular became a trademark for McCobb, whose tables, shelves and lamps were the result of meticulous attention to the room the design would inhabit. Thin lines, simplicity of form and a distinct lightness characterize the works of Paul McCobb. He was a realist and a perfectionist who's designs are a clear reflection of his personality.

McCobb’s recipe for no-nonsense design, where only the essential is required to obtain both functionality and aesthetics, is a recipe Fritz Hansen followed in collaboration with McCobb's daughter to relaunch his Planner  coffee tables. Details such as the narrowing of the welded steel by the “feet” of the base characterize this genuine McCobb design.