Joe Colombo was an Italian industrial designer who is widely recognized for his innovative, futuristic designs during the 1960s. His designs focused on creating modular furniture pieces that were meant to optimize small living spaces.

One of Colombo's most iconic designs is the Elda Chair, which was created in 1963 for the Italian furniture company Comfort. The Elda Chair was designed to be a lounge chair that would envelop the sitter, providing comfort and relaxation. It is said that Colombo was inspired by the shape of an egg when designing the Elda Chair, and indeed the chair has a unique and organic shape that sets it apart from other lounge chairs of the time.

The Elda Chair is made from a molded fiberglass shell, which is padded and upholstered in fabric or leather. The chair also features a swiveling base, allowing the sitter to easily change positions or turn to face different directions. The Elda Chair was one of Colombo's most successful designs, and it continues to be sought after by collectors and design enthusiasts today.

Colombo's other designs were also ahead of their time, often featuring innovative materials and techniques. He designed the Total Furnishing Unit, a modular living space that combined various functions such as sleeping, cooking and storage in one unit. He also created the Tube Chair, which was made from a single piece of plastic tubing that was bent to form a chair, and the Universale Chair, which was designed to be stackable and easy to transport.

Joe Colombo's designs have left a lasting impact on the world of design, and his forward-thinking approach to furniture design continues to inspire designers to this day.