Joe Colombo was born in Milan, Italy in 1930 and died there prematurely in 1971.
He worked as a painter and sculptor before finding his way into design through architecture. His designs focused on the flexibility and multifunctionality of objects. In 1964 he created Arflex, a modular container that accommodated an ashtray, lighter, pipe rack, lamp, record player and book shelf.
He also created the Carrellone Mini-Kitchen which all the kitchen utensils could be stored in a space-saving block on wheels.
Other industrial products with the theme of ´integrated interior' are such his Elda armchair which is upholstered in leather for comfort and his 4867 chair made of plastic.