HERMAN MILLER INC. / ZEELAND, MICHIGAN

In 1963, Monsanto commissioned George Nelson & Co. to develop applications for their new self skinning foam technique that replicated leather or textured vinyl. 

With Herman Miller, this conceptual chair was developed using a systems approach to its manufacture. By using a common component, a variety of chairs could be created.

NEW YORK WORLDS FAIR  /  1964-65

The first production run of 150 side chairs was utilized in “The American Restaurant”, at the Gas Association Pavilion at Flushing Meadows, NYC.

Design: George Nelson & Co. - Bill Cannan - Ron Beckman - Irving Harper  

Client: Herman Miller

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Paper mock-up of Club Chair for United Airlines Lounge

The segment is angled to create the chair profile as the cables are pulled in tension.

The basic angled chair segment is formed around an internal 1/4” bent wood structural element.

The arms and seat provide channels for steel cables.  When pulled together in tension they create the chair profile.

6 unit Club Chair

4 unit Office Chair

5 unit Side Chair

Full scale mock-ups of three chair variations.

Threaded steel cables

Initial concept sketch

The Building Block

The Segmented Chair was issued a U. S. Patent for it’s unique construction.

Problems with the foam technique developed  by Monsanto and the size limitation on producing components resulted in the curtailment of it’s production by Herman Miller.