Decades ago, the symbol of executive success was a lavishly tufted leather throne. That all changed in 1994 when Herman Miller released the Aeron, a sleek, ergonomic task chair intended for CEOs and administrative staff alike. Its innovations—numerous adjustments that let the chair conform to a user, engineered textiles, and flexible support—made it an instant icon; MoMA even acquired one before it hit the market. And it's not just the design establishment that vaunted the chair. It became a pop-culture icon, appearing in a handful of shows like 30 Rock, The Simpsons, and The Office. This week, Herman Miller announced a reengineering of Aeron, but when your seat is worthy enough to be God's throne, why mess with success—and how?
The Most Famous Task Chair Ever Gets A 21st-Century Update
