The Bauhaus was a revolutionary German art and design school founded in 1919 by Walter Gropius. It aimed to unify art, craft, and technology, emphasizing functionality and simplicity in design. Key figures include Walter Gropius, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and Marcel Breuer, who influenced modern architecture, furniture design, and typography. The Bauhaus style is characterized by minimalism, geometric forms, and a focus on craft in both hand-making and industrial production.