Herman Miller Quiz: More Than Just Chairs

The company that would eventually become Herman Miller started under a completely different name in a small Michigan town. It was focused on traditional home furniture at the time. The name changed after a key ownership shift in the early 1920s brought a new direction to the business.

Herman Miller's roots go back to a small town with a population of just over five thousand people. The company has been based in this US state since its founding in 1905 and continues to operate manufacturing and corporate facilities there, staying close to where it all began.

Herman Miller's most celebrated chair took years of research to develop. It was originally inspired by work done for elderly users and later adapted for office use. When it launched, the marketing team was uncertain about selling a chair with no traditional upholstery. It went on to become a cultural symbol.

This chair has become one of the most recognised pieces of furniture in the world. It was designed by a couple who worked closely with Herman Miller from the postwar era onwards. The pair also contributed other celebrated designs to the company's catalogue, shaping mid-century modern furniture.

In 2021, Herman Miller made its biggest acquisition ever, bringing together two of the most respected names in design furniture under one roof. The deal led to the creation of a new parent company called MillerKnoll, combining both brands while allowing each to maintain its own distinct identity.