Herman Miller was founded in 1906 under its original name, the Michigan Star Furniture Company, working in residential furniture. They hired DJ De Pree, who eventually became president and bought the company. He renamed it Herman Miller in honor of his father-in-law who gave him the money to buy the company. The company remained in residential design until the Great Depression when it began to struggle.
They contacted modernist Gilbert Rhode to helped reform the look of the company. They unveiled their first line of modern furniture in 1933 at the Century of Progress Exhibit. The company later hired George Nelson who created many pieces as well as their famous logo. Two of the most famous designers who worked with Herman Miller were Ray and Charles Eames, an eccentric couple who created avant garde work. Charles Eames even worked with the military to create a portable, lightweight, strong leg splint using bent wood technology.
Other designers that have worked with Herman Miller include Alexander Girard, a fabric designer, Robert Propst, the researcher who developed the action office system, and Bill Stumpf, who is responsible for the famous Aeron chair. Herman Miller continues to grow and develop innovative pieces in the world of design and currently owns companies like Geicer, Nemschoff, Maharem, and Design Within Reach.
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