Herman Miller History

A few key dates !

1905

Star Furniture Company opens for business in Zeeland, Michigan.

1923

Michigan Star Furniture Company becomes the Herman Miller Furniture Company.

1930

Gilbert Rhode, a designer from New York convinces Herman Miller to move away from traditional furniture and to focus on products better suited to the changing needs and lifestyles of Americans.

1946

The Eames moulded plywood chair, lounge chair, folding screen and coffee table are introduced.

1948

Herman Miller introduces a glass top coffee table designed by Isamu Noguchi.

1950

The world's first moulded fibreglass chairs, designed by Charles and Ray Eames, are introduced by Herman Miller. Eames storage units and wire base tables are introduced.

1954

Nelson pedestal tables and the Eames sofa compact are introduced.

1955

Nelson coconut and Eames stacking chairs are introduced.

1956

The Eames lounge chair and ottoman are introduced. The chair is to become a highly visible emblem of Herman Miller quality and innovation.

1958

Eames aluminium group chairs are introduced

1959

Nelson's comprehensive storage system is introduced.

1960

Eames walnut stools are introduced.

1962

Eames tandem sling seating is introduced and installed at Chicago's O'Hare Airport.

1967

The Panton Chair

1968

Herman Miller introduces the Action Office (AO) system, the world's first open-plan modular system of panels and attaching components. Designed by Robert Propst, AO will revolutionise office design and inspire a whole new market.

1973

Eames soft pad lounge chairs, exeutive tables and segmented base rectangular tables are introduced.

1976

Herman Miller introduces the Ergon chair and a new era of ergonomic seating begins.

1981

Burdick Group is introduced.

1984

The Equa chair, Ethospace system and Eames sofa are introduced.

1991

Relay furniture and Action Office Series 3 products are introduced.

1994

Herman Miller introduces the Aeron chair, which will win in 1999 a "Design of the Decade" award from "Business Week" magazine and the "Industrial Designers Society of America".

2000

The Eames moulded plywood chair is named "Design of the Century" by "Time" magazine.

2003

Herman Miller introduces Mirra, a high performance, environmentally advanced task chair.

2007

Herman Miller introduces the Leaf personal light.

2009

Herman Miller introduces the Setu Chair.

2010

Herman Miller introduces the Sayl Chair.