Herman Miller: 100 years of modern office furniture & design

Press

Herman Miller celebrates 100 years of design

4. September 2023
- aus der Kategorie Press

Herman Miller, a synonym for first-class design and innovative furniture production, celebrates its 100th birthday as a brand this year. Founded in 1923 in Michigan, USA, the company has developed into one of the global market leaders within the industry. Through their collaboration with countless design icons such as Charles and Ray Eames or George Nelson, a multitude of design classics have been created. In keeping with the anniversary and as an authorized retail partner of Herman Miller in Munich, we want to look back on the impressive history of Herman Miller together with you.

The beginnings of Herman Miller

The story began 100 years ago when D. J. De Pree and his father-in-law, the namesake of Herman Miller, joined forces. In 1923, the two bought the then Michigan Star Furniture Company, now known as Herman Miller. De Pree named the company after his father-in-law and thus laid the foundation for the remarkable success story. By the middle of the 20th century, Herman Miller was already synonymous with modern furniture. In 1930, the New York designer Gilbert Rohde permanently changed the company’s development when he focused on modern and solution-oriented design. The company also pursued this goal in collaboration with other outstanding designers such as George Nelson, Charles and Ray Eames, Alexander Girard and Isamu Noguchi. These collaborations resulted in pieces of furniture that are known today as modern design classics.

Herman Miller today: A contemporary brand with an eventful history

Over the past 100 years, Herman Miller has managed to establish itself as one of the pioneers of innovative and modern office furniture. Another highlight in their career is their inclusion in the MillerKnoll Collective 2022. MillerKnoll is a unique platform that unites several renowned brands and works together to create new design pieces. The MillerKnoll portfolio includes renowned brands such as Knoll International, Hay and Muuto. This collaboration allows Herman Miller to push the boundaries of design and offer an even wider range of high-quality furniture and furnishing solutions.

Schwarzes Bild mit einer Viezahl an Logos in weiß

Design icons today: Aeron Chair

Over the course of time, Herman Miller has created an impressive variety of furniture pieces that have become true design icons, such as the Eames Lounge Chair or the Nelson Bench. Especially in the office world, the Aeron Chair is considered an absolute design classic. Perhaps you have also seen it in a film. The Aeron Chair was designed by Don Chadwick and Bill Stumpf in 1994 and was one of the first of its kind to offer an ergonomic sitting position and individual adjustment options. It is a symbol of modern office furniture design.

The Aeron Chair not only offers ergonomic comfort through its individual adjustment options such as the adjustable lumbar support or fully adjustable armrests, but also offers a high degree of sustainability. The version in matt black, also called Onyx Black, is made from Oceon Bound plastic from the oceans. With this, Herman Miller shows its commitment to environmentally conscious design and combines sustainability with outstanding functionality and aesthetics.