Herman Miller was founded in the small Midwest town of Zeeland, Michigan and started out manufacturing antique reproduction furniture. At the height of the Great Depression, the company stared down bankruptcy, but was saved by an industrial designer from New York City named Gilbert Rohde who convinced founder D.J. De Pree to instead manufacture modern furniture for the masses.  George Nelson eventually succeeded Rohde as Design Director of Herman Miller, and ultimately lead the way to defining mid-century modern design in America.

This era included collaborations with some of the greatest designers of our time – Charles and Ray Eames, Irving Harper, Seymour Chwast, Tomoko Miho, Alexander Girard, and Deborah Sussman. Fortunately, the company preserved not only the furniture and products but also the promotional materials. Today this immense archive is overseen by Amy Auscherman. The collection provides a glimpse into the history of modern design and tells Herman Miller’s 100 year story.