History

Born on the pastoral Danish island of Mandø in 1909, Villum Kann Rasmussen—visionary entrepreneur, experimental scientist and inventor—grew up close to nature. At the end of World War II when millions were in need of immediate and inexpensive housing he developed and marketed the Velux roof window. This invention, along with better insulation materials and central heating systems, made it possible to economically expand living space by turning dark and gloomy attics into comfortable rooms with natural daylight and fresh air. In 1971 and 1981, Villum Kann Rasmussen established two Danish foundations to pursue activities of benefit to society. The V. Kann Rasmussen Foundation was established in 1991 with an emphasis on strengthening environmental research. The V. Kann Rasmussen Foundation works closely with a new Kann Rasmussen family foundation, the KR Foundation, which was established in 2015.