Who invented the roof window?
While through the generations openings in roofs have been used to let in sunshine and help with ventilation, skylights as we know them started in Europe after WWII. After the devastation of WWII, there was a tremendous lack of housing and commercial space throughout Europe. The VELUX founder, Mr. Villum Kann Rasmussen, saw an opportunity to provide more space by bringing natural light and air into attic spaces through the roof. This idea led to the design of the first roof windows, which were initially used to convert unused attics into classrooms. Conventional windows could not be used and maintain the watertight integrity of the roof. A roof window has a hinged opening rather than a sash, and is sealed to prevent leakage. It allows light and ventilation into a converted attic space. This concept evolved into the skylights we use today.
