Skip to Content
The Henry Ford
  • Menu
    • Tickets
    • Membership
    • Support
    • Make an Impact
    • Shop
    • Careers
    • Member Login
  • Collections & Research
    • Digital Collections
    • Digital Resources
    • Services
    • About Us
  • Digital Resources
    • Research Databases
    • Popular Research Topics
    • Caring For Your Artifacts
  • Popular Research Topics
  • Visit
    • Visit Overview
    • Plan Your Visit
      • Plan Your Visit Overview
      • Tickets & Hours
      • Directions & Parking
      • My Must-Sees
      • Accessibility
      • Tips & Policies
      • Group Visits & Field Trips
      • Tour Groups
      • Shops & Dining
        • Shops & Dining Overview
        • A Taste of History
        • Cotswold Cottage Tea
        • Eagle Tavern
        • Lamy’s Diner
        • Mrs. Fisher’s Southern Cooking
        • Plum Market Kitchen
      • Overnight Packages
        • Overnight Packages Overview
        • Limited-Service Hotels
        • Full Service Hotels
        • Campgrounds & RV Parks
    • Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation
      • Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation Overview
      • Tickets & Hours
      • Shops & Dining
      • Exhibits & Map
        • Exhibits & Map Overview
        • Agriculture
        • Dymaxion House
        • Your Place In Time
        • Fully Furnished
        • With Liberty and Justice for All
        • Heroes of the Sky
        • Made in America: Manufacturing
        • Made in America: Power
        • Driving America
        • Presidential Vehicles
        • Railroads
        • Davidson-Gerson Modern Glass Gallery
        • Mathematica
        • What We Wore
        • Driven to Win: Racing in America
        • Art Pottery of the 20th Century
        • National Historic Vehicle Register
        • Miniature Moments: Hallmark®
      • Tips & Policies
      • Current Events
    • Greenfield Village
      • Greenfield Village Overview
      • Tickets & Hours
      • Shops & Dining
      • Historic Districts & Map
        • Historic Districts & Map Overview
        • Porches and Parlors
        • Liberty Craftworks
          • Liberty Craftworks Overview
          • Davidson-Gerson Gallery of Glass
        • Henry Ford's Model T
        • Railroad Junction
        • Main Street
        • Edison at Work
        • Working Farms
      • Tips & Policies
      • Current Events
      • Rides at Greenfield Village
    • Ford Rouge Factory Tour
      • Ford Rouge Factory Tour Overview
      • Tickets & Hours
      • Tour Map & Highlights
        • Tour Map & Highlights Overview
        • Assembly Plant Walking Tour
        • Manufacturing Innovation Theater
        • Legacy Gallery
        • Legacy Theater
        • Living Laboratory Walking Tour
        • Observation Deck
        • Living Roof
      • History & Timeline
        • History & Timeline Overview
        • Henry Ford's Rouge
        • Reinventing the Rouge
        • Ford Rouge Timeline
      • Tips & Policies
    • Giant Screen Experience
      • Giant Screen Experience Overview
      • Showtimes & Tickets
      • Teacher's Choice @ Giant Screen Experience
      • Tips & Policies
    • Venue Operations & Safety Protocols
    • Overnight Packages
  • Explore
    • Explore Overview
    • Stories of Innovation
      • Stories of Innovation Overview
      • What If?
      • Connect3
      • Visionaries on Innovation
    • Inside The Henry Ford
    • Innovation Nation
      • Innovation Nation Overview
      • Episode Guide
    • Recipes & Cookbooks
    • Blog
    • Social Justice and Injustice
    • THF Conversations
  • Collections & Research
    • Collections & Research Overview
    • Digital Collections
      • Digital Collections Overview
      • Advanced Search
      • Archival Collections
      • Expert Sets
    • Digital Resources
      • Digital Resources Overview
      • Research Databases
      • Popular Research Topics
      • Caring For Your Artifacts
    • Services
      • Services Overview
      • Reading Room
        • Reading Room Overview
        • Reading Room FAQ
      • Remote Research Services
      • Tours & Special Access
      • Conservation Services
      • Loans
    • About Us
      • About Us Overview
      • Our Collections Experts
      • Ways to Get Involved
        • Ways to Get Involved Overview
        • Henry Austin Clark, Jr. Graduate Internship
        • Clark Travel-to-Collections Research Fellowship
        • Diversity and Inclusion Internship Program
        • Journey to 100 Graduate Internship
      • Donate Artifacts
  • Education - inHub
    • Education - inHub Overview
    • Experiences & Field Trips
      • Experiences & Field Trips Overview
      • Field Trips
        • Field Trips Overview
        • Henry Ford Museum Field Trips
        • Greenfield Village Field Trips
        • Ford Rouge Factory Tour Field Trips
        • Teacher's Choice @ Giant Screen Experience
        • Shop, Dine, and Ride
        • Scholarships
        • Your Field Trip FAQ
      • Camps & Activities
        • Camps & Activities Overview
        • The Henry Ford Summer Camps
      • Scouts and Youth Groups
    • Curriculum Resources
    • inHub Overview
      • inHub Overview Overview
      • Educator Professional Development
        • Educator Professional Development Overview
        • Teacher Fellow Program
        • America’s Industrial Revolution Workshop
      • Henry Ford Academy
      • Henry Ford Learning Institute
      • Community Commitment
    • Invention Convention Worldwide
      • Invention Convention Worldwide Overview
      • Teacher Innovator Awards
      • Michigan Invention Convention
    • Innovation Learning
      • Innovation Learning Overview
      • Model i
    • Summer Camps
  • About The Henry Ford
    • About The Henry Ford Overview
    • Mission & Board of Trustees
    • Annual Reports
    • The Henry Ford & the Community
      • The Henry Ford & the Community Overview
      • Corporate Partners
      • Community Impact
        • Community Impact Overview
        • Local Food Partners
    • Press Room
      • Press Room Overview
      • Press Releases
      • Media Kits
      • General Information, B-Roll, Photos
    • Employment & Volunteering
      • Employment & Volunteering Overview
      • Job Postings
      • Volunteering
      • FAQ
    • Contact Us
      • Contact Us Overview
      • Department Directory
  • History & Mission
  • Current Events
    • Current Events Overview
    • Calendar
    • Kids Activities
  • Membership
    • Membership Overview
    • Levels & Benefits
    • Member Events & Exclusives
    • THF Magazine
    • Corporate Membership
      • Corporate Membership Overview
      • Corporate Members
    • Tips About Using Your Membership
  • Support
    • Support Overview
    • Donor Societies
    • The Henry Ford Effect
    • Make an Impact
    • Stories of Impact
  • Shop
  • Host an Event
    • Host an Event Overview
    • Weddings
      • Weddings Overview
      • Wedding Venues
        • Wedding Venues Overview
        • Henry Ford Museum
        • Greenfield Village
        • Lovett Hall
      • Wedding Menus & Details
      • Wedding Gallery
      • Photo Policy
      • 360 Venue Views
        • 360 Venue Views Overview
        • Henry Ford Museum
        • Greenfield Village
        • Lovett Hall
    • Private Events
      • Private Events Overview
      • Private Event Venues
        • Private Event Venues Overview
        • Henry Ford Museum
        • Greenfield Village
        • Lovett Hall
        • Ford Rouge Factory Tour
      • Event Types
        • Event Types Overview
        • Group Picnics
        • Meetings & Conventions
        • National Events
        • Village Buyout
      • Menus & Details
      • 360 Venue Views
        • 360 Venue Views Overview
        • Henry Ford Museum
        • Greenfield Village
        • Lovett Hall
        • Ford Rouge Factory Tour
    • Contact Us
  • Charitable Registration Disclosure
  • Careers
  • Member Login
  • Packages & Promotions Packages & Promotions Experience more, save more! See Details

Site Search

Search our website to find what you’re looking for.

Select Your Language

You can select the language displayed on our website. Click the drop-down menu below and make your selection.

Popular Research Topic

Herman Miller and
The Henry Ford

Learn more about the Herman Miller-related
collections The Henry Ford holds.

The Henry Ford and the Herman Miller Furniture Company have a long history together. Artifacts made by the renowned company hold a prominent role in our collection and on the museum floor. Numerous acquisitions and donations by the company have made The Henry Ford is one of the primary holders of objects and archival materials related to Herman Miller products and projects.

In 1988, the Herman Miller Furniture Company established the Herman Miller Consortium to share the historical product collection that had been accumulating as part of Herman Miller’s corporate archives in Zeeland, Michigan. Herman Miller approached The Henry Ford due to its focus on innovation in America, an interest in design processes and prototyping, and the societal implications of manufactured products. The collection contained approximately 800 pieces of furniture as well as a large quantity of product literature. Instead of all this material going to just one institution, twelve additional art and history museums were chosen due to their proximity to Herman Miller manufacturing facilities. These 13 institutions now make up the Herman Miller Consortium. A database was created in 2004 that provides searchable records of all furniture collectively held by these 13 consortium members.

The Henry Ford welcomed the Herman Miller Collection (89.177) in 1989, which includes several hundred pieces of furniture and components, as well as hundreds of archival documents, such as advertisements, postcards, trade catalogues, product manuals brochures, and hangtags. Additional donations from the company followed, including a large acquisition of material related to designer Alexander Girard in 1992, called the Girard Fabrics Collection (92.48), and in 2005, the Aeron Chair Presentation Collection (2005.92.19). Building upon these donations from Herman Miller, curatorial staff at The Henry Ford have since acquired artifacts and collections related to the company’s designers, including archival collections like the Bill Stumpf Papers (2009.141), the Robert Propst Papers (2010.83), individual artifacts like the Prototype Eames Fiberglass Chair and the Kiosk From IBM Pavilion at the 1964 New York World's Fair—and even an entire exhibit, Mathematica: A World of Numbers and Beyond…

Included in the donation of the Bill Stumpf Papers (2009.141) are the personal and studio libraries of Stumpf. These collections include more than 1,300 titles that were used by Bill Stumpf in his design work, as well as titles that were related more to his personal interests. The libraries together give a holistic look into Stumpf’s research practices and inspiration.

While some of this material has been digitized and is searchable in our Digital Collections, much is not. Researchers interested in specific topics related to the company’s history should reach out to research.center@thehenryford.org for additional assistance.


THF Archival Finding Aids:

  • Herman Miller Collection (89.177)
  • Girard Fabrics Collection (92.48)
  • Bill Stumpf Papers (2009.141)
  • Robert Propst Papers (2010.83)
  • Herman Miller Aeron Chair Presentation Collection (2005.92.19)
  • Don Chadwick Papers (2019.148) 


Key Designers of Herman Miller


Gilbert Rohde

Herman Miller Modern Brochure

Industrial designer Gilbert Rohde helped spur the American furniture industry's transition from historical revivals toward a modern aesthetic. In 1930, industrial designer Gilbert Rohde told the president of Herman Miller, D.J. De Pree, “I know how people live and I know how they are going to live.” He designed furniture for Herman Miller until his untimely death in 1944. Rohde helped to transform the company from a struggling revivalist manufacturer into a thriving company on the leading edge of American Modernism.

Related Content:

  • Blog—Gilbert Rohde and D.J. De Pree: The Partnership that Modernized the Herman Miller Furniture Company

  • George Nelson

    Herman Miller
    George Nelson was a trained architect, a critic, an educator, and an industrial designer. After Gilbert Rohde’s untimely death, Nelson was hired to replace him as the Director of Design at the Herman Miller Furniture Company. If Rohde planted the seed of modernism at Herman Miller, Nelson cultivated and grew it. His furniture and graphic design moved the company forward. Perhaps more significantly, Nelson is responsible for the hiring of key designers like Charles and Ray Eames, Alexander Girard, and Isamu Noguchi. Alongside D.J. De Pree, Nelson created a design culture and depth of design expertise at Herman Miller that would impact the company for many years to come.

    Related Content:

  • Blog— George Nelson's Visionary Design
  • Blog— The Office of George Nelson and Co.


  • Charles and Ray Eames

    Charles and Ray Eames
    Charles and Ray Eames—perhaps more than any other designers—came to symbolize the ideals of modernism to the American public. A husband-and-wife design team, they founded the Eames Office in 1943. Their early venture to create a complex-curved plywood chair in a single shell led to the development of numerous groundbreaking furniture forms. But they weren’t only furniture designers—together they designed everything from buildings to toys and films to museum exhibits.

    Related Content:

  • What If Essay— What if Collaboration Is Design?
  • Blog— Charles and Ray Eames: Masters of Collaboration
  • Blog— Molding Ideas: Eames Trash Can Chair
  • The Henry Ford’s Innovation Nation— Episode 101: Featuring Mathematica, a World of Numbers and Beyond…
  • The Henry Ford’s Innovation Nation— Episode 72: One-Wheeled Board, Featuring Charles and Ray Eames
  • The Henry Ford Magazine— 7 Facts about the 670/671
  • The Henry Ford Magazine— Hidden Bouquet
  • The Henry Ford Magazine Feature— Eames in Toyland
  • The Henry Ford Magazine Feature— Don’t Let the Standards Down
  • The Henry Ford Magazine Feature— Ask: What Does a Past President of The Henry Ford Know about Working with Charles and Ray Eames?

  • Alexander Girard

    Alexander Girard
    Known for his mastery of color and texture, designer Alexander Girard was a trained architect, a visionary textile designer, and an avid collector of folk art. He was the almost unbelievably prolific Director of Design for Herman Miller Furniture Company’s textile division from 1952–1973 while simultaneously completing independent projects, such as comprehensive airline redesigns and restaurant interiors. Girard’s approach to design moved American modernism from its minimalist roots to a more joyful, humanistic design that was more “synonymous with living.”

    Related Content:

  • The Henry Ford’s Innovation Nation—Episode 94: Food Huggers, Featuring Alexander Girard
  • Video—Alexander Girard Textiles
  • Blog—The End of the Plain Plane Campaign
  • Expert Set—Alexander Girard Designs for Herman Miller

  • Isamu Noguchi

    Isamu Noguchi
    Isamu Noguchi was a Japanese-American designer working in product and furniture design, lighting, sculpture, and landscape architecture. Over the course of his six-decade career, Noguchi was driven to synthesize the traditions and materials of Japanese culture with the clean-lined abstractions of modernism. His belief that “everything is sculpture” and that objects should exist as part of a “total environment” led to an impressive roster of commissions for fountains, public art, parks, playgrounds, gardens, and stage sets. In 1937, he styled the Zenith “Radio Nurse” receiver—the first baby monitor. His collaboration with Herman Miller began in 1947 with the creation of the iconic glass-topped “Noguchi table,” which remains in production today.

    Related Content:

  • Blog—Noguchi Radio Nurse
  • Blog—Isamu Noguchi’s Hart Plaza: A People’s Park
  • Digital Collections—Chassis Fountain for Ford Pavilion at 1930 World’s Fair

  • Robert Propst

    Robert Propst
    In 1960, Robert Propst became the director of the newly formed Herman Miller Research Division located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The founder of Herman Miller, D.J. DePree, saw potential in Propst’s ambitious thinking and his ability to broaden the company’s product range beyond furniture designs. Propst’s archive reveals an interest in the power of systems and optimizing existing processes and products—from timber harvesting to office landscapes and children’s toys to medical products. Two of his most impactful projects were holistic environments designed for high-impact workplaces: the improved Action Office II system (1968), and the moveable “coherent structures” of the Co/Struc system designed for hospitals (1971).

    Related Content:

  • Blog— Robert Propst: Unorthodox Thinker

  • Bill Stumpf

    Bill Stumpf
    Bill Stumpf specialized in ergonomic chair and seating design. From 1970 to 1973, Stumpf served as Vice President of the Herman Miller Research Corporation in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He later shifted into a role as an independent contractor with the company. In 1976, Stumpf’s created the first ergonomic office chair, the Ergon. Some of his best-known work for Herman Miller was co-designed with Don Chadwick, including the Equa (1984) and Aeron (1994) chairs. In collaboration with Chadwick, Stumpf also contributed to the Metaform project, which used Universal Design principles to create home and hospital furniture that would allow people to age in their own homes. With Jeff Weber, he designed the Embody chair and served as principal designer of the Ethospace office system with Jack Kelley.

    Related Content:

  • Blog—Sparking Innovation: Aeron Chair
  • Expert Set—Designing Aeron

  • Don Chadwick

    Don Chadwick
    Don Chadwick is one of the noted Herman Miller industrial designers, responsible for projects like the Ergon and Aeron chairs in collaboration with Bill Stumpf, as well as the Chadwick Modular Seating system and the Ethospace system. The grandson of a cabinet maker, Chadwick credits his grandfather with his own interest in working with his hands rather than being “a numbers guy.” His interest in furniture was sparked in college after attending a lecture by Charles and Ray Eames. After graduation, Chadwick worked for architect Victor Gruen, where he continued to develop his signature style of structured, innovative designs that value form just as much as function. While many of his designs were produced in partnership with Herman Miller, Inc., today, Chadwick maintains his own design studio—Chadwick Studio—in Los Angeles, where he continues to produce new work.

    Related Content:

  • Digital Collections— Don Chadwick
  • Visionaries on Innovation Interview—Don Chadwick

  •  

    Further Reading:

    • Auscherman, Amy, Sam Grawe, and Leon Ransmeier. Herman Miller: A Way of Living. 2019. Print.
    • Berry, John R, and John R. Berry. Herman Miller: Classic Furniture and System Designs for the Working Environment. London: Thames & Hudson, 2005. Print.
    • De, Pree H. Business as Unusual: The People and Principles at Herman Miller. Zeeland, Mich: Herman Miller, 1992. Print

    Related Content

    • What if Collaboration Is Design?
       What If

    • Gilbert Rohde and D.J. De Pree: The Partnership that Modernized the Herman Miller Furniture Company
       Blog

    • Sparking Innovation: Aeron Chair
       Blog

    • Robert Propst: Unorthodox Thinker
       Blog

    • Noguchi Radio Nurse
       Blog

    • The End of the Plain Plane Campaign
       Blog

    • Charles and Ray Eames: Masters of Collaboration
       Blog

    • Molding Ideas: Eames Trash Can Chair
       Blog

    Artifacts Related to Herman Miller Furniture Company and The Henry Ford

    Herman Miller Advertisement, "Look for This Mark, Beware of Imitations," December 1963

    Herman Miller Advertisement, "Beware of Imitations," December 1963

    The Henry Ford   Details

    Herman Miller Advertisement, "Beware of Imitations," December 1963

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    Artifact

    Advertisement

    Date Made

    December 1963

    Creators

    Herman Miller, Inc. 

    Sussman, Deborah 

    Office of Charles and Ray Eames 

    Place of Creation

    United States, Michigan, Zeeland 

    Keywords

    Advertisements 

    Tear sheets 

    Advertising 

    Office chairs 

    Office furniture 

    Offices (Work spaces) 

    Eames, Charles, 1907-1978 

    Herman Miller, Inc. 

    Object ID

    89.177.449

    Credit

    From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Herman Miller, Inc.

    Location

    By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

    Get more details in Digital Collections at:

    thehenryford.org

    Herman Miller Advertisement, "Beware of Imitations," December 1963

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    What is The Henry Ford?

    The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

    VIEW CALENDAR

     
    • Tweet
    • Share
    • Email

    • Embed

    • Copy Short URL

    Details
    Capelli Stool, 2004

    Capelli Stool, 2004

    The Henry Ford   Details

    Capelli Stool, 2004

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    Artifact

    Stool (Seating furniture)

    Date Made

    01 December 2004

    Creators

    Herman Miller, Inc. 

    Catalano, Carol 

    Keywords

    United States, Minnesota, Minneapolis 

    Stools (Seating furniture) 

    Furniture 

    Stumpf, Bill 

    Object ID

    2009.141.19

    Credit

    From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of the Stumpf Family.

    Fully Furnished
     On Exhibit

    at Henry Ford Museum in Fully Furnished

    Get more details in Digital Collections at:

    thehenryford.org

    Capelli Stool, 2004

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    What is The Henry Ford?

    The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

    VIEW CALENDAR

     
    • Tweet
    • Share
    • Email

    • Embed

    • Copy Short URL

    Details
    Advertising Postcard, "Chairs Designed by Charles Eames Executed by Herman Miller," 1954
    Advertising Postcard, "Chairs Designed by Charles Eames Executed by Herman Miller," 1954 (back)

    Advertising Postcard, "Chairs Designed by Charles Eames Executed by Herman Miller," 1954

    The Henry Ford   Details

    Advertising Postcard, "Chairs Designed by Charles Eames Executed by Herman Miller," 1954

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    Artifact

    Postcard

    Creators

    Herman Miller Furniture Company 

    Place of Creation

    United States, Michigan, Zeeland 

    Keywords

    Postcards 

    Advertising 

    Eames chairs 

    Furniture design 

    Eames, Charles, 1907-1978 

    Herman Miller Furniture Company 

    Object ID

    89.177.203

    Credit

    From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Herman Miller, Inc.

    Location

    By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

    Get more details in Digital Collections at:

    thehenryford.org

    Advertising Postcard, "Chairs Designed by Charles Eames Executed by Herman Miller," 1954

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    What is The Henry Ford?

    The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

    VIEW CALENDAR

     
    • Tweet
    • Share
    • Email

    • Embed

    • Copy Short URL

    Details
    Trade Catalog, "Soft Seating," Herman Miller Furniture Company, circa 1956 (cover, page 1)
     Trade Catalog, "Soft Seating," Herman Miller Furniture Company, circa 1956 (page 2)
    Trade Catalog, "Soft Seating," Herman Miller Furniture Company, circa 1956 Soft Seating (page 3)
    Trade Catalog, "Soft Seating," Herman Miller Furniture Company, circa 1956 (back)

    Catalog for Herman Miller Furniture, "Soft Seating," circa 1956

    The Henry Ford   Details

    Catalog for Herman Miller Furniture, "Soft Seating," circa 1956

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    Artifact

    Trade catalog

    Date Made

    circa 1956

    Creators

    Herman Miller Furniture Company 

    Place of Creation

    United States, Michigan, Zeeland 

    Keywords

    Trade catalogs 

    Trade literature 

    Eames furniture 

    Furniture 

    Furniture design 

    Eames, Charles, 1907-1978 

    Object ID

    89.177.959

    Credit

    From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Herman Miller, Inc.

    Location

    By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

    Get more details in Digital Collections at:

    thehenryford.org

    Catalog for Herman Miller Furniture, "Soft Seating," circa 1956

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    What is The Henry Ford?

    The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

    VIEW CALENDAR

     
    • Tweet
    • Share
    • Email

    • Embed

    • Copy Short URL

    Details
    Eames Molded Plywood Leg Splint, circa 1943

    Eames Molded Plywood Leg Splint, circa 1943

    The Henry Ford   Details

    Eames Molded Plywood Leg Splint, circa 1943

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    Artifact

    Splint (Surgery)

    Date Made

    circa 1943

    Summary

    At the start of World War II, the splints used for supporting broken limbs were heavy, inflexible, and made of increasingly scarce metal. Designers Charles and Ray Eames created a lightweight, strong, and adaptable leg splint design--and developed an innovative plywood molding process to produce them. The Eames molded leg splint became a highly effective solution for the military as well as a design object.

    Creators

    Eames, Charles, 1907-1978 

    Eames, Ray 

    Evans Products Company. Molded Plywood Division 

    Place of Creation

    United States, California, Los Angeles 

    Keywords

    Splints (Surgery) 

    Orthopedic apparatus 

    World War, 1939-1945 

    United States. Navy 

    Object ID

    89.177.13

    Credit

    From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Herman Miller, Inc.

    Fully Furnished
     On Exhibit

    at Henry Ford Museum in Fully Furnished

    Get more details in Digital Collections at:

    thehenryford.org

    Eames Molded Plywood Leg Splint, circa 1943

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    What is The Henry Ford?

    The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

    VIEW CALENDAR

     
    • Tweet
    • Share
    • Email

    • Embed

    • Copy Short URL

    Details
    Prototype Eames Fiberglass Chair, circa 1949
    Prototype Eames Fiberglass Chair, circa 1949

    Prototype Eames Fiberglass Chair, circa 1949

    The Henry Ford   Details

    Prototype Eames Fiberglass Chair, circa 1949

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    Artifact

    Armchair

    Date Made

    circa 1949

    Summary

    Charles and Ray Eames wanted to design affordable high-quality furniture. To this end, Charles brought a mock-up of a chair to John Wills, a boat builder and fiberglass fabricator, who created two identical prototypes. Charles took one: it became the basis for what would become a modern design icon. This is the other: it lingered in Will's workshop, used over four decades as a utility stool.

    Creators

    Eames, Charles, 1907-1978 

    Wills, John A. 

    Place of Creation

    United States, California, Arcadia 

    Keywords

    Chairs (Furniture forms) 

    Eames chairs 

    Eames furniture 

    Prototypes (object genre) 

    Trash cans 

    Furniture 

    Modern (Styles and periods) 

    Object ID

    95.167.1

    Credit

    From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

    Fully Furnished
     On Exhibit

    at Henry Ford Museum in Fully Furnished

    Get more details in Digital Collections at:

    thehenryford.org

    Prototype Eames Fiberglass Chair, circa 1949

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    What is The Henry Ford?

    The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

    VIEW CALENDAR

     
    • Tweet
    • Share
    • Email

    • Embed

    • Copy Short URL

    Details
    Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman, Introduced in 1956
    Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman, Introduced in 1956

    Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman, Introduced in 1956

    The Henry Ford   Details

    Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman, Introduced in 1956

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    Artifact

    Armchair

    Summary

    Charles Eames, co-designer of this chair, felt it had "a sort of ugliness" about it--although he conceded that "it has apparently given a lot of pleasure to people." In production since 1956, it is one of the most recognizable pieces of 20th Century furniture--a design that meshes elemental luxury with the finely honed simplicity of Charles and Ray Eames' best work.

    Creators

    Eames, Charles, 1907-1978 

    Eames, Ray 

    Herman Miller, Inc. 

    Place of Creation

    United States, Michigan, Zeeland 

    Keywords

    Eames chairs 

    Armchairs 

    Easy chairs 

    Ottoman footstools 

    Furniture 

    Eames furniture 

    Chairs (Furniture forms) 

    Object ID

    86.22.1

    Credit

    From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

    Fully Furnished
     On Exhibit

    at Henry Ford Museum in Fully Furnished

    Get more details in Digital Collections at:

    thehenryford.org

    Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman, Introduced in 1956

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    What is The Henry Ford?

    The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

    VIEW CALENDAR

     
    • Tweet
    • Share
    • Email

    • Embed

    • Copy Short URL

    Details
    Kiosk From IBM Pavilion at the 1964 New York World's Fair
    Kiosk From IBM Pavilion at the 1964 New York World's Fair
    Kiosk From IBM Pavilion at the 1964 New York World's Fair
    Kiosk From IBM Pavilion at the 1964 New York World's Fair
    Kiosk From IBM Pavilion at the 1964 New York World's Fair
    Kiosk From IBM Pavilion at the 1964 New York World's Fair
    Kiosk From IBM Pavilion at the 1964 New York World's Fair
    Kiosk From IBM Pavilion at the 1964 New York World's Fair
    Kiosk From IBM Pavilion at the 1964 New York World's Fair
    Kiosk From IBM Pavilion at the 1964 New York World's Fair

    Kiosk From IBM Pavilion at the 1964 New York World's Fair

    The Henry Ford   Details

    Kiosk From IBM Pavilion at the 1964 New York World's Fair

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    Artifact

    Kiosk

    Date Made

    1963-1964

    Summary

    The kiosk, designed by the office of Charles and Ray Eames, is the sole survivor of several similar small structures installed within the vast IBM Pavilion at the 1964 New York World's Fair. Its light-hearted appearance -- suggesting carousel, fairground, and bandstand architecture -- was a counterbalance to the highly advanced computing technologies IBM was showcasing in the pavilion.

    Creators

    Eames, Charles, 1907-1978 

    Eames, Ray 

    Place of Creation

    United States, California, Venice 

    Keywords

    United States, New York, New York 

    Kiosks 

    Exhibitions 

    World's fairs 

    International Business Machines Corporation 

    New York World's Fair (1964-1965) 

    Object ID

    2013.78.1

    Credit

    From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

    Henry Ford Museum
     On Exhibit

    at Henry Ford Museum in New Acquisition Gallery

    Get more details in Digital Collections at:

    thehenryford.org

    Kiosk From IBM Pavilion at the 1964 New York World's Fair

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    What is The Henry Ford?

    The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

    VIEW CALENDAR

     
    • Tweet
    • Share
    • Email

    • Embed

    • Copy Short URL

    Details
    "Probability Board" from Mathematica: A World of Numbers and Beyond Exhibition, 1960-1961
    "Probability Board" from Mathematica: A World of Numbers and Beyond Exhibition, 1960-1961
    "Probability Board" from Mathematica: A World of Numbers and Beyond Exhibition, 1960-1961

    "Probability Board" from Mathematica: A World of Numbers and Beyond Exhibition, 1960-1961

    The Henry Ford   Details

    "Probability Board" from Mathematica: A World of Numbers and Beyond Exhibition, 1960-1961

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    Artifact

    Installation (Exhibition)

    Date Made

    1960-1961

    Creators

    Eames, Charles, 1907-1978 

    Eames, Ray 

    International Business Machines Corporation 

    Office of Charles and Ray Eames 

    Redheffer, Raymond M., 1921-2005 

    Place of Creation

    United States, California, Los Angeles 

    Keywords

    Display pieces 

    Installations (Exhibitions) 

    Exhibitions (Events) 

    Mathematics 

    Museum exhibits 

    Statistics 

    Object ID

    2015.16.1.6.1

    Credit

    From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

     On Exhibit

    at Henry Ford Museum in Mathematica: A World of Numbers and Beyond

    Get more details in Digital Collections at:

    thehenryford.org

    "Probability Board" from Mathematica: A World of Numbers and Beyond Exhibition, 1960-1961

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    What is The Henry Ford?

    The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

    VIEW CALENDAR

     
    • Tweet
    • Share
    • Email

    • Embed

    • Copy Short URL

    Details
    "Textiles & Objects" Banner, Designed by Alexander Girard, 1961
    "Textiles & Objects" Banner, Designed by Alexander Girard, 1961

    "Textiles & Objects" Banner, Designed by Alexander Girard, 1961

    The Henry Ford   Details

    "Textiles & Objects" Banner, Designed by Alexander Girard, 1961

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    Artifact

    Banner

    Date Made

    1961

    Summary

    In 1961, Herman Miller opened the avant-garde "Textiles and Objects Shop" in New York City. Designer Alexander Girard conceived of the idea, designed the shop, and stocked it with textiles, furniture, handcrafted objects, and even folk art from around the world. This iconic banner -- with screen printed text on Girard's "April" textile -- hung in the storefront window.

    Creators

    Girard, Alexander 

    Herman Miller, Inc. 

    Keywords

    Banners 

    Design (Discipline) 

    Patterns (Design Elements) 

    Information signs 

    Promotional materials 

    Retail stores 

    Object ID

    92.48.5.1

    Credit

    From the Collections of The Henry Ford.Gift of Herman Miller, Inc.

    Location

    Not on exhibit to the public.

    Get more details in Digital Collections at:

    thehenryford.org

    "Textiles & Objects" Banner, Designed by Alexander Girard, 1961

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    What is The Henry Ford?

    The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

    VIEW CALENDAR

     
    • Tweet
    • Share
    • Email

    • Embed

    • Copy Short URL

    Details
    Maquette of the Alexander Girard Mural for the Herman Miller New York Showroom, 1973-1974
    Maquette of the Alexander Girard Mural for the Herman Miller New York Showroom, 1973-1974
    Maquette of the Alexander Girard Mural for the Herman Miller New York Showroom, 1973-1974
    Maquette of the Alexander Girard Mural for the Herman Miller New York Showroom, 1973-1974
    Maquette of the Alexander Girard Mural for the Herman Miller New York Showroom, 1973-1974
    Maquette of the Alexander Girard Mural for the Herman Miller New York Showroom, 1973-1974

    Maquette of the Alexander Girard Mural for the Herman Miller New York Showroom, 1973-1974

    The Henry Ford   Details

    Maquette of the Alexander Girard Mural for the Herman Miller New York Showroom, 1973-1974

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    Artifact

    Maquette

    Date Made

    1973-1974

    Creators

    Girard, Alexander 

    Keywords

    United States, New York, New York 

    Maquettes 

    Mock-ups 

    Models (Representations) 

    Swatches 

    Murals (General, decorations on wall) 

    Textile fabrics 

    Herman Miller, Inc. 

    Object ID

    92.48.5.2

    Credit

    From the Collections of The Henry Ford.Gift of Herman Miller, Inc.

    Location

    Not on exhibit to the public.

    Get more details in Digital Collections at:

    thehenryford.org

    Maquette of the Alexander Girard Mural for the Herman Miller New York Showroom, 1973-1974

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    What is The Henry Ford?

    The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

    VIEW CALENDAR

     
    • Tweet
    • Share
    • Email

    • Embed

    • Copy Short URL

    Details
    Prototype Mirror, Designed by Alexander Girard for Herman Miller's Textiles & Objects Shop, 1960-1962

    Prototype Mirror, Designed by Alexander Girard for Herman Miller's Textiles & Objects Shop, 1960-1962

    The Henry Ford   Details

    Prototype Mirror, Designed by Alexander Girard for Herman Miller's Textiles & Objects Shop, 1960-1962

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    Artifact

    Mirror

    Date Made

    1960-1962

    Summary

    In 1961, Herman Miller opened the avant-garde "Textiles and Objects Shop" in New York City. Designer Alexander Girard conceived of the idea, designed the shop, and stocked it with his own textiles, furniture, and objects, like this prototype mirror. The shop also sold furniture designed by other Herman Miller designers, like Charles and Ray Eames and George Nelson, and folk art objects carefully selected by Girard.

    Creators

    Girard, Alexander 

    Herman Miller, Inc. 

    Place of Creation

    United States, Michigan, Zeeland 

    Keywords

    United States, New York, New York 

    Mirrors 

    Prototypes (Object genre) 

    Textiles & Objects 

    Object ID

    92.48.5.3

    Credit

    From the Collections of The Henry Ford.Gift of Herman Miller, Inc.

     On Exhibit

    On Loan - Lorenzo Cultural Center

    Get more details in Digital Collections at:

    thehenryford.org

    Prototype Mirror, Designed by Alexander Girard for Herman Miller's Textiles & Objects Shop, 1960-1962

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    What is The Henry Ford?

    The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

    VIEW CALENDAR

     
    • Tweet
    • Share
    • Email

    • Embed

    • Copy Short URL

    Details
    Environmental Enrichment Panel, "Girls," Designed by Alexander Girard for Herman Miller, 1972

    Environmental Enrichment Panel, "Girls," Designed by Alexander Girard for Herman Miller, 1972

    The Henry Ford   Details

    Environmental Enrichment Panel, "Girls," Designed by Alexander Girard for Herman Miller, 1972

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    Artifact

    Wall hanging

    Date Made

    1972

    Summary

    Alexander Girard, Herman Miller Textile Division's Director of Design, created a series of forty folk art-inspired graphic panels aptly named "Environmental Enrichment Panels" in 1972. They were meant to enrich the office environment, adorning the moveable walls of Robert Propst's Action Office II -- more commonly known as the cubicle.

    Creators

    Girard, Alexander 

    Herman Miller, Inc. 

    Keywords

    Textiles (Visual works) 

    Wall hangings 

    Women 

    Girls 

    Work environment 

    Offices (Work spaces) 

    Object ID

    92.48.4.1

    Credit

    From the Collections of The Henry Ford.Gift of Herman Miller, Inc.

    Location

    Not on exhibit to the public.

    Get more details in Digital Collections at:

    thehenryford.org

    Environmental Enrichment Panel, "Girls," Designed by Alexander Girard for Herman Miller, 1972

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    What is The Henry Ford?

    The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

    VIEW CALENDAR

     
    • Tweet
    • Share
    • Email

    • Embed

    • Copy Short URL

    Details
    Propst Prototype Clock, 1961
    Propst Prototype Clock, 1961
    Propst Prototype Clock, 1961
    Propst Prototype Clock, 1961
    Propst Prototype Clock, 1961

    Propst Prototype Clock, 1961

    The Henry Ford   Details

    Propst Prototype Clock, 1961

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    Artifact

    Clock

    Date Made

    1961

    Creators

    Propst, Robert 

    Place of Creation

    United States, Michigan, Ann Arbor 

    Keywords

    Clocks 

    Prototypes (Object genre) 

    Industrial design 

    Time management 

    Office furniture 

    Timekeeping 

    Object ID

    2010.83.15

    Credit

    From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of the Family of Robert L. Propst.

    Location

    Not on exhibit to the public.

    Get more details in Digital Collections at:

    thehenryford.org

    Propst Prototype Clock, 1961

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    What is The Henry Ford?

    The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

    VIEW CALENDAR

     
    • Tweet
    • Share
    • Email

    • Embed

    • Copy Short URL

    Details
    "Action Office Project Drawing by Robert Propst, April 1, 1964"
    "Action Office Project Drawing by Robert Propst, April 1, 1964"  (back)

    Action Office Project Drawing by Robert Propst, April 1, 1964

    The Henry Ford   Details

    Action Office Project Drawing by Robert Propst, April 1, 1964

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    Artifact

    Drawing (Visual work)

    Date Made

    01 April 1964

    Summary

    Action Office, conceptualized by Robert Propst with final design by George Nelson, was rooted in Propst's research into office function and worker behavior. The system was not a commercial success: manufacturing costs were high, and it was, in Propst's words, "too showy and bright for serious consideration as a middle management tool." Propst went on to design the hugely successful Action Office 2 cubicle-based system.

    Creators

    Propst, Robert 

    Keywords

    Drawings (Visual works) 

    Ergonomics 

    Furniture design 

    Furniture industry and trade 

    Office chairs 

    Office furniture 

    Office workers 

    Offices (Work spaces) 

    Herman Miller, Inc. 

    Object ID

    2010.83.645

    Credit

    From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of the Family of Robert L. Propst.

    Location

    By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

    Get more details in Digital Collections at:

    thehenryford.org

    Action Office Project Drawing by Robert Propst, April 1, 1964

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    What is The Henry Ford?

    The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

    VIEW CALENDAR

     
    • Tweet
    • Share
    • Email

    • Embed

    • Copy Short URL

    Details
    Aeron Chair Production Model, 2005
    Aeron Chair Production Model, 2005 (view 2)
    Aeron Chair Production Model, 2005

    Aeron Chair Production Model, 2005

    The Henry Ford   Details

    Aeron Chair Production Model, 2005

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    Artifact

    Office chair

    Date Made

    2005

    Summary

    In the 1980s, Herman Miller furniture company designers Bill Stumpf and Don Chadwick created an easy chair for the elderly--called the Sarah Chair--but it was never commercially manufactured. Stumpf and Chadwick recognized that the modern workplace could benefit from the solutions they developed for the Sarah Chair. They used the lessons learned--and three more years of research--to create the Aeron, a groundbreaking office chair.

    Creators

    Chadwick, Don (Donald T.), 1936- 

    Stumpf, Bill 

    Herman Miller, Inc. 

    Place of Creation

    United States, California, Santa Monica 

    United States, Michigan, Zeeland 

    United States, Minnesota, Minneapolis 

    Keywords

    Office chairs 

    Armchairs 

    Furniture 

    Prototypes (Object genre) 

    Chairs (Furniture forms) 

    Modern (Styles and periods) 

    Object ID

    2005.92.1

    Credit

    From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Herman Miller, Inc.

    Location

    Not on exhibit to the public.

    Get more details in Digital Collections at:

    thehenryford.org

    Aeron Chair Production Model, 2005

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    What is The Henry Ford?

    The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

    VIEW CALENDAR

     
    • Tweet
    • Share
    • Email

    • Embed

    • Copy Short URL

    Details
    Noguchi Table Used by D.J. De Pree, Zeeland, Michigan
    Noguchi Table Used by D.J. De Pree, Zeeland, Michigan

    Noguchi Table Used by D.J. De Pree, Zeeland, Michigan

    The Henry Ford   Details

    Noguchi Table Used by D.J. De Pree, Zeeland, Michigan

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    Artifact

    Coffee table

    Creators

    Herman Miller, Inc. 

    Noguchi, Isamu, 1904-1988 

    Place of Creation

    United States, Michigan, Zeeland 

    Keywords

    United States, Michigan, Zeeland 

    Coffee tables 

    Tables (Support furniture) 

    Furniture 

    Occasional tables 

    Offices (Work spaces) 

    De Pree, D.J. (Dirk Jan), 1891-1990 

    Herman Miller, Inc. 

    Object ID

    93.190.10

    Credit

    From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Herman Miller, Inc.

    Location

    Not on exhibit to the public.

    Get more details in Digital Collections at:

    thehenryford.org

    Noguchi Table Used by D.J. De Pree, Zeeland, Michigan

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    What is The Henry Ford?

    The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

    VIEW CALENDAR

     
    • Tweet
    • Share
    • Email

    • Embed

    • Copy Short URL

    Details
    Poster, "Herman Miller Summer Picnic, 1985"

    Poster, "Herman Miller Summer Picnic, 1985"

    The Henry Ford   Details

    Poster, "Herman Miller Summer Picnic, 1985"

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    Artifact

    Poster

    Date Made

    1985

    Summary

    In 1970, Stephen Frykholm, newly hired as a graphic designer at Herman Miller, designed his first poster for the furniture company's annual summer picnic. He went on to design 19 more, each with picnic food as their subject. His compositions played with scale, abstraction, pattern, and vibrant color -- informed by the screen-printing skills he had developed while serving in the Peace Corps.

    Creators

    Frykholm, Stephen, 1942- 

    Keywords

    Posters 

    Photomechanical prints 

    Company picnics 

    Picnics 

    Herman Miller, Inc. 

    Pop (Fine arts styles) 

    Object ID

    88.112.17

    Credit

    From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Herman Miller, Inc.

    Fully Furnished
     On Exhibit

    at Henry Ford Museum in Fully Furnished

    Get more details in Digital Collections at:

    thehenryford.org

    Poster, "Herman Miller Summer Picnic, 1985"

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    What is The Henry Ford?

    The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

    VIEW CALENDAR

     
    • Tweet
    • Share
    • Email

    • Embed

    • Copy Short URL

    Details
    Nelson "Coconut" Chair, 1955

    Nelson "Coconut" Chair, 1955

    The Henry Ford   Details

    Nelson "Coconut" Chair, 1955

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    Artifact

    Lounge chair

    Date Made

    1955

    Creators

    Nelson, George, 1908-1986 

    Herman Miller, Inc. 

    Place of Creation

    United States, Michigan, Zeeland 

    Keywords

    Lounge chairs 

    Chairs (Furniture forms) 

    Furniture 

    Object ID

    89.177.76

    Credit

    From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Herman Miller, Inc.

    Fully Furnished
     On Exhibit

    at Henry Ford Museum in Fully Furnished

    Get more details in Digital Collections at:

    thehenryford.org

    Nelson "Coconut" Chair, 1955

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    What is The Henry Ford?

    The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

    VIEW CALENDAR

     
    • Tweet
    • Share
    • Email

    • Embed

    • Copy Short URL

    Details
    Marshmallow Love Seat, 1956-1965
    Marshmallow Love Seat, 1956-1965

    Marshmallow Love Seat, 1956-1965

    The Henry Ford   Details

    Marshmallow Love Seat, 1956-1965

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    Artifact

    Love seat

    Date Made

    1956-1965

    Creators

    Herman Miller, Inc. 

    Nelson, George, 1908-1986 

    Harper, Irving, 1916-2015 

    Place of Creation

    United States, Michigan, Zeeland 

    Keywords

    Love seats 

    Sofas 

    Furniture 

    Modern (Styles and periods) 

    Object ID

    89.177.59

    Credit

    From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Herman Miller, Inc.

    Location

    Not on exhibit to the public.

    Get more details in Digital Collections at:

    thehenryford.org

    Marshmallow Love Seat, 1956-1965

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    What is The Henry Ford?

    The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

    VIEW CALENDAR

     
    • Tweet
    • Share
    • Email

    • Embed

    • Copy Short URL

    Details
    Herman Miller Action Office System, November 1968
    Herman Miller Action Office System, November 1968

    Herman Miller Action Office System, November 1968

    The Henry Ford   Details

    Herman Miller Action Office System, November 1968

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    Artifact

    Photographic print

    Date Made

    November 1968

    Summary

    In this image, Jack Kelley of Herman Miller Research Corporation uses the first computer mouse and a "chording keyboard" while inventor Douglas Engelbart observes. The setup being tested was used in Engelbart's 1968 demonstration of the oN-Line System. Many computing "firsts" occurred at this "Mother of All Demos," including Kelley's own innovation--the tray shown here is the first mousepad.

    Creators

    Unknown 

    Keywords

    Photographic prints 

    Photographs 

    Ergonomics 

    Industrial design 

    Office equipment and supplies 

    Office furniture 

    Offices (Work spaces) 

    Herman Miller, Inc. 

    Object ID

    2010.83.833

    Credit

    From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of the Family of Robert L. Propst.

    Location

    Not on exhibit to the public.

    Get more details in Digital Collections at:

    thehenryford.org

    Herman Miller Action Office System, November 1968

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    What is The Henry Ford?

    The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

    VIEW CALENDAR

     
    • Tweet
    • Share
    • Email

    • Embed

    • Copy Short URL

    Details
    Communication Center for Action Office Series, 1964-1967

    Communication Center for Action Office Series, 1964-1967

    The Henry Ford   Details

    Communication Center for Action Office Series, 1964-1967

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    Artifact

    Carrel

    Date Made

    1964-1967

    Summary

    Action Office, conceptualized by Robert Propst with final design by George Nelson, was rooted in Propst's research into office function and worker behavior. The system was not a commercial success: manufacturing costs were high, and it was, in Propst's words, "too showy and bright for serious consideration as a middle management tool." Propst went on to design the hugely successful Action Office 2 cubicle-based system.

    Creators

    Nelson, George, 1908-1986 

    Propst, Robert 

    Herman Miller Research Corporation 

    Place of Creation

    United States, Michigan, Ann Arbor 

    Keywords

    Carrels 

    Office furniture 

    Furniture 

    Modern (Styles and periods) 

    Object ID

    89.177.96

    Credit

    From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Herman Miller, Inc.

    Location

    Not on exhibit to the public.

    Get more details in Digital Collections at:

    thehenryford.org

    Communication Center for Action Office Series, 1964-1967

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    What is The Henry Ford?

    The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

    VIEW CALENDAR

     
    • Tweet
    • Share
    • Email

    • Embed

    • Copy Short URL

    Details
    Rohde Sideboard, 1941-1942
    Rohde Sideboard, 1941-1942
    Rohde Sideboard, 1941-1942
    Rohde Sideboard, 1941-1942

    Rohde Sideboard, 1941-1942

    The Henry Ford   Details

    Rohde Sideboard, 1941-1942

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    Artifact

    Sideboard (Furniture)

    Date Made

    1941-1942

    Summary

    In the early 1930s, industrial designer Gilbert Rohde spurred the American furniture industry's transition from historical revivals to a modern aesthetic. By 1941, he believed that improved economic conditions justified the reintroduction of restrained decorative elements to modern furniture. This sideboard, part of the high-end Paldao series, features clean lines, antique-finish brass pulls, and leatherette upholstered legs.

    Creators

    Herman Miller, Inc. 

    Rohde, Gilbert, 1894-1944 

    Keywords

    Buffets (Sideboards) 

    Sideboards (Furniture) 

    Furniture 

    Modern (Styles and periods) 

    Object ID

    89.177.108

    Credit

    From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Herman Miller, Inc.

    Fully Furnished
     On Exhibit

    at Henry Ford Museum in Fully Furnished

    Get more details in Digital Collections at:

    thehenryford.org

    Rohde Sideboard, 1941-1942

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    What is The Henry Ford?

    The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

    VIEW CALENDAR

     
    • Tweet
    • Share
    • Email

    • Embed

    • Copy Short URL

    Details
    "Herman Miller Inc. Poster, "Exercise," 1979"
    "Herman Miller Inc. Poster, "Exercise," 1979" (back)

    Herman Miller Inc. Poster, "Exercise," 1979

    The Henry Ford   Details

    Herman Miller Inc. Poster, "Exercise," 1979

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    Artifact

    Poster

    Date Made

    1979

    Creators

    Herman Miller, Inc. 

    Powell, Linda 

    Place of Creation

    United States, Michigan, Zeeland 

    Keywords

    Posters 

    Chair exercises 

    Ergonomics 

    Furniture design 

    Furniture industry and trade 

    Office chairs 

    Office workers 

    Object ID

    89.177.1168

    Credit

    From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Herman Miller, Inc.

    Location

    Not on exhibit to the public.

    Get more details in Digital Collections at:

    thehenryford.org

    Herman Miller Inc. Poster, "Exercise," 1979

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    What is The Henry Ford?

    The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

    VIEW CALENDAR

     
    • Tweet
    • Share
    • Email

    • Embed

    • Copy Short URL

    Details
    Eames Molded Plywood Chair, Given to D. J. DePree in Recognition of His 50 Years of Service to Herman Miller, 1959
    Eames Molded Plywood Chair, Given to D. J. DePree in Recognition of His 50 Years of Service to Herman Miller, 1959
    Eames Molded Plywood Chair, Given to D. J. DePree in Recognition of His 50 Years of Service to Herman Miller, 1959

    Eames Molded Plywood Chair, Given to D. J. DePree in Recognition of His 50 Years of Service to Herman Miller, 1959

    The Henry Ford   Details

    Eames Molded Plywood Chair, Given to D. J. DePree in Recognition of His 50 Years of Service to Herman Miller, 1959

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    Artifact

    Side chair

    Date Made

    1949

    Creators

    Eames, Charles, 1907-1978 

    Eames, Ray 

    Herman Miller, Inc. 

    Place of Creation

    United States, Michigan, Zeeland 

    Keywords

    Side chairs 

    Chairs (Furniture forms) 

    Furniture 

    Anniversaries 

    Firsts 

    Gifts 

    DePree, D. J. (Dirk Jan), 1891-1990 

    Object ID

    93.190.15

    Credit

    From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Herman Miller, Inc.

    Location

    Not on exhibit to the public.

    Get more details in Digital Collections at:

    thehenryford.org

    Eames Molded Plywood Chair, Given to D. J. DePree in Recognition of His 50 Years of Service to Herman Miller, 1959

    View in our Collectionson thehenryford.org 

    What is The Henry Ford?

    The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.

    VIEW CALENDAR

     
    • Tweet
    • Share
    • Email

    • Embed

    • Copy Short URL

    Details
    Shop Our Spring Retail Collection Shop Online
    Get Our eNewsletters Enjoy the latest news from The Henry Ford, special offers, and more. Sign Up
    Member Appreciation Days GET DETAILS
    The Henry Ford
    Visit 
    • Plan Your Visit
    • Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation
    • Greenfield Village
    • Ford Rouge Factory Tour
    • Giant Screen Experience
    • Venue Operations & Safety Protocols
    • Overnight Packages
    Explore 
    • Stories of Innovation
    • Inside The Henry Ford
    • Innovation Nation
    • Recipes & Cookbooks
    • Blog
    • Social Justice and Injustice
    • THF Conversations
    Current Events 
    • Calendar
    • Kids Activities
    Collections & Research 
    • Digital Collections
    • Digital Resources
    • Services
    • About Us
    Education - inHub 
    • Experiences & Field Trips
    • Curriculum Resources
    • inHub Overview
    • Invention Convention Worldwide
    • Innovation Learning
    • Summer Camps
    About The Henry Ford 
    • Mission & Board of Trustees
    • Annual Reports
    • The Henry Ford & the Community
    • Press Room
    • Employment & Volunteering
    • Contact Us
    History & Mission 
    • Tickets
    • Membership
    • Support
    • Shop
    • Host an Event
    • Charitable Registration Disclosure
    • Careers
    • Member Login
    • Facebook Logo
    • Twitter Logo
    • YouTube Logo
    • Pinterest Logo
    • Instagram Logo
    • TikTok Logo_white
    • THF Connect Mobile App
    • Subscribe to eNewsletter
    • Contact Us
    Text JOINTHF to 76371 for Updates & Discounts
    Copyright © 2023 The Henry Ford
    • Legal Information
    • Privacy
    • Copyrights
    • Sitemap
    • Terms of Use

    20900 Oakwood Boulevard, Dearborn, MI 48124‑5029

    Contact Center: 313-982-6001
    Contact Center Hours: Monday–Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
    Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
    Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    • Pinterest
    • instagram_new
    • THF Connect Mobile App
    • Subscribe to eNewsletter
    • Contact Us
    Text JOINTHF to 76371 for Updates & Discounts
    Copyright © 2021 The Henry Ford
    • Legal Information
    • Privacy
    • Copyrights
    • Sitemap
    • SMS Terms of Use

    20900 Oakwood Boulevard, Dearborn, MI 48124-5029

    Contact Center: 313-982-6001
    Contact Center Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
    Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
    Buy Tickets