Herman Miller is a renowned American company known for its innovative and high-quality furniture, particularly in the office and home sectors. Founded in 1905 in Zeeland, Michigan, it originally operated as the Michigan Star Furniture Company. The company’s name was changed to Herman Miller in 1923, after the businessman Herman Miller, who was a major investor and the father-in-law of the company’s president, D.J. De Pree. Under De Pree’s leadership, the company began to focus on creating furniture with a modern, functional design, a move that would redefine its brand and position it as a leader in the industry.
The 1930s marked a turning point for Herman Miller, as the company embraced modernist design principles and collaborated with prominent designers like Gilbert Rohde and, later, George Nelson. These collaborations laid the groundwork for Herman Miller’s signature approach, combining sleek aesthetics with practicality. The company’s partnership with designers Charles and Ray Eames in the 1940s and 1950s further cemented its reputation for innovation. The Eames’ iconic designs, such as the Eames Lounge Chair, became symbols of mid-century modern style and are still celebrated as masterpieces of industrial design.
Herman Miller revolutionized the office furniture market with the introduction of the Action Office system in the 1960s, designed by Robert Propst. This groundbreaking concept introduced the world to the first cubicle, which aimed to create a more flexible and efficient workspace. Though initially intended to enhance employee productivity and well-being, the cubicle became a staple of office design. Herman Miller continued to innovate with ergonomic products, such as the Aeron chair, designed in the 1990s. The Aeron chair became a cultural icon, known for its comfort and ergonomic support, and remains one of the best-selling office chairs to this day.
Today, Herman Miller is synonymous with modern design and continues to be a major player in the furniture industry, merging with fellow design powerhouse Knoll in 2021 to form MillerKnoll. The company’s commitment to quality, sustainability, and user-centered design has solidified its position as a global leader in furniture design. Herman Miller’s legacy is characterized by its collaborations with visionary designers and its ongoing quest to create products that blend form, function, and comfort, making it a beloved name in homes and offices worldwide.
Prototype of Ergonomic office chair by Herman Miller
If you are interested to know more about Herman Miller, let’s take a look at at these 12 interesting facts about Herman Miller.
- Early Beginnings: Herman Miller started as the Michigan Star Furniture Company in 1905. It was renamed Herman Miller in 1923 after D.J. De Pree’s father-in-law, who was a major investor and provided the financial backing needed to save the company.
- Pioneers of Modern Design: Herman Miller was one of the first American companies to embrace modernist design. Under the influence of designer Gilbert Rohde, the company shifted from traditional wood furniture to sleek, modern pieces in the 1930s.
- Eames Collaboration: The collaboration with Charles and Ray Eames revolutionized the furniture industry. The Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman, introduced in 1956, are among the most iconic and recognizable pieces of modern furniture, known for their comfort and timeless design.
- Introduction of the Cubicle: In the 1960s, Herman Miller introduced the Action Office system, designed by Robert Propst. This system gave birth to the modern office cubicle, aiming to increase flexibility and productivity in the workplace.
- Ergonomic Innovations: Herman Miller is known for pioneering ergonomic office chairs, including the famous Aeron chair, designed by Bill Stumpf and Don Chadwick in 1994. The Aeron chair set new standards for comfort and is celebrated for its unique mesh design.
- Sustainability Leader: Herman Miller is committed to sustainability. It was one of the first companies to embrace the Cradle to Cradle design philosophy, focusing on environmentally friendly products and materials that can be recycled or reused.
- Design Icon in Pop Culture: The Aeron chair became a symbol of the dot-com boom in the 1990s and was featured in numerous films, TV shows, and offices worldwide, cementing its status as a cultural icon.
- First to Implement Open-Plan Office Design: In the 1940s, Herman Miller was among the first companies to experiment with the open-plan office layout, aimed at creating a more collaborative and flexible workspace.
- MillerKnoll Merger: In 2021, Herman Miller merged with another design giant, Knoll, to form MillerKnoll. This merger brought together two of the most influential names in modern furniture design.
- Designs in Museums: Many of Herman Miller’s iconic pieces, including the Eames Lounge Chair and the Noguchi Table, are featured in museums like the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, showcasing their status as art and design masterpieces.
- Employee-Owned Philosophy: Herman Miller has a strong employee-focused culture. In the 1980s, the company introduced the “Scanlon Plan,” a profit-sharing system that allowed employees to share in the company’s financial success.
- Focus on Human-Centered Design: The company’s philosophy emphasizes “human-centered design,” aiming to create products that enhance comfort, well-being, and productivity. This approach has driven many of its innovations, from the ergonomic office chair to adaptive workspaces.
Herman Miller’s legacy in the furniture industry is a testament to its pioneering spirit and commitment to innovative, user-focused design. By collaborating with some of the most visionary designers of the 20th century, such as Charles and Ray Eames, Isamu Noguchi, and George Nelson, the company redefined what modern furniture could be. Its iconic pieces, like the Eames Lounge Chair and the Aeron Chair, have become cultural touchstones, celebrated not just for their aesthetics but for their comfort, functionality, and enduring appeal. These designs are more than just furniture; they represent a philosophy of creating products that enhance people’s lives and stand the test of time.
Today, Herman Miller remains at the forefront of the industry, merging with Knoll to form MillerKnoll, a powerhouse of modern design. The company’s dedication to sustainability, ergonomic innovation, and timeless style continues to shape the way people work and live. Whether furnishing a contemporary home or an adaptive office space, Herman Miller’s products reflect a century of expertise and a vision for the future of design. Its enduring influence is a reminder of the power of thoughtful craftsmanship and the impact that well-designed furniture can have on our daily lives.
