Piet Hein

1905 — 1996

Piet Hein was a well-known Danish scientist, poet, mathematician and designer who is noted for having served in the Danish resistance during World War 2.  Addressing the commonality of square-shaped buildings, and the impracticality of circular shapes for architecture, Hein developed the “superellipse” shape, applying it to city planning as well as objects.  This was followed by the “superegg.”  The shapes became hallmarks of Scandinavian design.