Herman Miller
Design office furniture, Eames, Nelson, Noguchi, Michigan since 1905
Herman Miller merged with Knoll in 2021 to form MillerKnoll, a publicly traded conglomerate. CEO Andi Owen faced controversy in 2023 (employee bonus management). Classic products (Eames, Aeron) remain benchmarks, but the post-merger corporate evolution deserves attention.
Philosophy
American design furniture since 1905. The greatest designers of the century, timeless classics. Merged into MillerKnoll since 2021.
History
Zeeland, Michigan, 1905. In 1923, D.J. De Pree acquires the company with help from his father-in-law Herman Miller. In 1945, George Nelson becomes design director and recruits Charles and Ray Eames, Isamu Noguchi, Alexander Girard. Herman Miller becomes the 20th century American design laboratory.
In 1994, the Aeron chair is an earthquake: no foam, mesh technology, enters MoMA and every Silicon Valley office. In 2021, merger with Knoll creates MillerKnoll, publicly traded. In 2023, CEO Andi Owen tells employees worried about bonuses to "leave pity city." On specialist forums, the Aeron remains excellent but gas cylinder problems are documented, QC is uneven post-merger, and prices keep rising while used Classic Aerons sell for $300-400. Herman Miller invented modern office furniture. MillerKnoll is a dividend machine, not a design studio.
Iconic Products
Aeron Chair
The chair that redefined office ergonomics. Designed in 1994 by Chadwick and Stumpf, Pellicle mesh instead of foam. At MoMA since 1999. $1,500 new, but used Classic Aerons at $300-400 do the same job. Gas cylinder issues documented.
Eames Lounge Chair & Ottoman
1956. Charles and Ray Eames design the most iconic chair of the 20th century. Molded plywood shell, full-grain leather, polished aluminum base. Designed as 'a well-used baseball glove.' At MoMA, Vitra Museum, every self-respecting loft. $7,000 new, a functional art object. Beware of counterfeits.
Noguchi Table
1947. Isamu Noguchi designs a coffee table with two identical articulated solid wood legs supporting an organic glass top. No screws, no glue, just balance. Functional sculpture. Produced continuously since 1947, one of the world's most copied furniture pieces. The Herman Miller original costs about $2,500.