Design Story: Aeron by Bill Stumpf and Don Chadwick

1976 – The Birth of Ergon

Long before Aeron, Bill Stumpf redefined workplace comfort with the Ergon Chair—the world’s first research-backed ergonomic chair. His design principles balanced form, function and wellbeing, laying the groundwork for everything Herman Miller would go on to produce.

1984 – First Collaboration with Don Chadwick

Stumpf and Chadwick joined forces to create the Equa Chair, a design celebrated for encouraging movement while sitting. It earned a spot in Time magazine’s “Best of the Decade” and marked the beginning of a lasting partnership.

1987 – Research into Long-Term Sitting

The duo took on new challenges with the Sarah Chair, a prototype for elderly users that tested new suspension materials and ergonomic motion, further expanding their insights into healthy sitting.

1994 – The Chair That Changed Everything

When Aeron launched in 1994, it challenged every convention in office seating. With no foam, no fabric, and no compromise on comfort, it introduced the revolutionary Pellicle suspension – a breathable, flexible mesh that offered zoned support and lasting coolness. Aeron wasn’t just a new chair—it was a bold statement.

That same year, Aeron entered the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), proof that great ergonomics and iconic design can coexist.