RJO DESIGN STUDIO - Key Persons

Robert Olsen is an inventor, designer, custom finish carpenter, and entrepreneur. Mr. Olsen graduated from Parsons School of Design in 1970 with his senior project being the Parsons Cube, which received publicity in a half-page article in the New York Times, was seen on the "What's My Line" TV show, and was patented in the U.S. within a year. There is a U.S. Information Agency movie that was seen in 83 countries and that can be seen on YouTube. In 1971, Mr. Olsen graduated from the NYU School of Education. As the Design Director on a Signs and Decal project for the New York Transit Authority in the 1980's, Mr. Olsen worked on the 50 ft. aluminum ring and the large figure 8 signage on the subway concourse at 599 Lexington Avenue, those being the most notable of many lighted sign projects in which Mr. Olsen participated. A mahogany lounge chair with waterfall designed by Mr. Olsen was given the Hammacher Schlemmer Personal Care Invention of the Year award in 1996. In 1997, Mr. Olsen and his partner started Sci-bore, a business that manufactured high-carbon steel tubes for the aerospace industry. Mr. Olsen's most recent patent is for the Puzzle Cube, a play form that contains over 14 different functional seating possibilities.