The history of design is closely tied to that of the industrial revolution that followed the Great War. Mechanized production brought with it a new era of the human environment, influenced by industrialists and no longer solely by craftsmen and artists, especially in USA. Following the crisis of 1929, American industrialists became aware of the importance of aesthetics in the commercial success of consumer products. From the steam engine to the first skyscrapers, this new era took shape with the help oftechnological innovations.
France, weakened by the war and the shortage of raw materials passed the baton of furniture production to other countries including the USA where the word "design" became common usage.
NewBauhaus - Source
The Bauhaus was reborn across the Atlantic in 1937 in Chicago. Indeed, the Bauhaus school was forced to move several times until it was permanently closed by law enforcement on April 11, 1933, until it reopened in the United States. However, the spirit was no longer quite the same and its director,Moholy-Nagy, wanting to restore its primary place to experimentation, founded the "School of Design" in 1933 (which in 1944 would become the "Institute of Design"). This institution would greatly influence the new generation of American architects and designers.
In the USA, small-scale furniture manufacturing began, notably at Hermann Miller and Knoll, contributing to the expansion of the design. The 1950s style displays clean, uncluttered lines, flat surfaces with octagonal shapes. Manufacturing techniques such asmolding and the use ofnew materials give rise to modular and functional furniture.
The Lounge Chair by Eames for Hermann Miller - Source
Tulip dining table and set of five Tulip chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll - Available here
In the United States, the design world is structured around two strong personalities : George Nelson and the pair Eames. They were architects, designers, graphic artists and writers.
Nelson began with architecture, before successfully turning to design and interior design. He signed some of the great American design classics of the 1940s through the 1960s, as seen in the iconoclastic Marshmallow sofa from 1956. Nelson was also a pioneer of sustainability and an early advocate of environmentalist ideas.
Marshmallow sofa by George Nelson - Source
Coconut Chair by George Nelson - Source
The pairing of Eames is representative of the democratization of design, with the rise of mass production. Office furniture and benches designed for airports are good illustrations of this, as will be shown by the Tandem Sling seats still in use today in airports around the world.
Charles and Ray Eames Fiberglass Rocker Chair - Source
Finally, another influential designer across the Atlantic is worth mentioning Harry Bertoia. Italian-born Harry Bertoia created the Diamond chair which is part of the Bertoia collection from Knoll.
Bertoia made very few pieces during his career, but the vigor of his style is recognizable at first glance. His name will remain closely associated with the "grill style", named after his famouswire chairs made for Knoll in the early 1950s.
Diamond Chair by Harry Bertoia for Knoll - Source
Thanks to its innovative designers of the time, the USA offers us dozens of iconic pieces that are now the most in-demand pieces on the market. Check out our collection on American iconic pieces to find them!