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In the late forties Arabia, a Finnish manufacturer of tableware, hired a team of new designers in order to update their lines. The head of the design team was Kaj Franck, a graduated Interior Architect with a passion for simple and functional forms. 'He was interested in mass production and the possibilities of technology to produce diverse practical objects at a reasonable price'.

The outcome was a revolutionary design in tableware with the introduction of Kilta in 1953. Although the Finnish people took their time to appreciate this functional approach to tableware, Kilta became a success beyond Finland’s borders.

Another contribution to the Finnish design history is Kaj Franck's work for Ittala. In 1952 Ittala launched the Teema line. This design was simple, functional and to combine with other tableware. Franck’s remark about Teema was that the only decoration was the application of colour. Ittala philosophy is their belief in sustainability and the immortality of a design. Until this day Teema is still in production; Kila's ceased in 1975 after a production of 20 million pieces.