Herman Miller: A Way Of Living

Herman Miller was founded in 1905 in Zeeland, Michigan, under the name Star Furniture Co., but it became Herman Miller Inc. in 1923 when D.J. De Pree, the founder’s son-in-law, purchased the company with financial support from his father-in-law. Initially, the company produced traditional wooden furniture, but in the 1930s, it shifted its focus to modern and innovative design, collaborating with renowned designers who would go on to shape the history of industrial design.

One of the company’s most famous collaborations was with Charles and Ray Eames. The duo is known for their iconic Eames chairs, such as the Eames Lounge Chair and the Eames Molded Plastic Chair, which combine elegant design with functionality. Herman Miller also worked with George Nelson, who designed the famous Ball Clock and the Marshmallow Sofa.

In the 1970s, the company introduced the Action Office, a modular office system designed by Robert Propst that revolutionized the workplace, paving the way for the concept of open spaces and flexible workstations. This renowned manufacturer was a pioneer in applying ergonomic and sustainable principles to its products, as demonstrated by the famous Aeron chair, introduced in the 1990s, which redefined office chair design.