Who we are History

A passion for daylight, fresh air and better living environments.

That’s what started our company 80 years ago. And it’s still what drives us forward.
 

In 1941, entrepreneur and inventor Villum Kann Rasmussen came up with an idea that would transform dark attics into liveable spaces full of daylight and fresh air.

His first roof window was patented in 1942. He came up with a distinctive name that brought out the key benefits of his solution: ‘VE’, short for ventilation and ‘LUX’, latin for light - VELUX.

Within a few decades, Villum Kann Rasmussen and his team had opened up the roofs of homes and workplaces all over Europe and America, making the VELUX brand a household name synonymous with functional, high-quality design.

Explore our history

Celebrating a great idea

Mr. Villum Kann Rasmussen started his company on April 1, 1941, specialising in glass roofs. He soon came up with the brilliant idea to transform dark attics into living spaces with daylight and fresh air. In 2021, we celebrated the 80-year journey of this remarkable idea, on which we have founded our company and business.

In this video, Mr. Lars Kann-Rasmussen, son of the VELUX Groups’ founder, Villum Kann Rasmussen, celebrates the 80th anniversary of the VKR Group, by reflecting on this journey.  

The story of Villum Kann Rasmussen

The story of the VELUX Group is the story of a visionary pioneer, who in 1941 came up with the brilliant idea to transform dark attics into living spaces with daylight and fresh air – and who inspired his team to develop high quality products bringing light to peoples’ lives. What began as a school renovation project in Denmark has grown into an international group of companies in more than 40 countries.