Jonathan De Pas (1932-1991), Donato D'Urbino (born 1935) and Paolo Lomazzi (born 1936 ) met each other while studying at the Milan Polytechnic.  They began working together in 1966 when they founded their design studio DDL - De Pas, D'Urbino, Lomazzi.  The trio became an overnight sensation in 1967 with their Blow inflatable chair for Zanotta.  They have been the recipients of several awards including the prestigious Compasso d'Oro in 1979.  The designers (and subsequently as D'Urbino/Lomazzi after De Pas' death) have collaborated with several manufacturers including Artemide, Alessi, Cassina, Disform, Driade, Poltronova, Stilnovo, Valenti, Zanotta, and Zerodisegno.  Their work is included in the permanent collections of several museums worldwide including the Museum of Modern Art, New York.