Herman Milestones
Published May 2, 2008 at 3:34 pm · Filed under Office Products
Eames Aluminium Group turns 50
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Herman Miller’s iconic Eames Aluminium Group of management, side, executive, and lounge seating.
Charles and Ray Eames designed the Aluminium Group in 1958 for Irwin Miller, founder of Cummins Engines, in Columbus, Indiana, after Eero Saarinen and Alexander Girard who were designing the Miller home challenged them to develop high quality seating for outdoor use.
The chairs, originally named the Indoor-Outdoor Group, were constructed from cast aluminium that supported a synthetic mesh (woven saran). The mesh was discontinued shortly after its introduction, but in 2001 Herman Miller introduced a new mesh material, called Cygnus, that had similar aeration and translucent qualities to the Aeron chair’s Pellicle fabric.
To commemorate the introduction of one of the twentieth century’s most recognisable chairs, Herman Miller is producing a limited edition of the Group in Anniversary White leather with an iridescent pearl finish. It has also created an anniversary label that will adorn all Eames Aluminium Group thin-pad chairs ordered in 2008.
www.hermanmiller.com
