In 1939, Jens Risom emigrated to the U.S. and joined forces with Hans Knoll, a furniture manufacturer in search of a good designer. The pair embarked on a three-month trip across the country, meeting with architects and designers to gather insight into the demand for modern furnishings. In 1941, the Risom Collection became the first full line of modern furniture to be comissioned and manufactured by Knoll.