1942
The Executive Office Group, designed by Gilbert Rohde, signals Herman Miller's entry into the office-furniture market. Modular and versatile, EOG is a precursor of systems furniture.
Charles and Ray Eames are commissioned by the Navy to develop lightweight, molded plywood leg splints.
Herman Miller's Los Angeles showroom opens.
1944
Gilbert Rohde dies, De Pree begins searching for a new design leader.
1945
After seeing an article in Life magazine on George Nelson and his Storagewall design, D.J. De Pree hires him to serve as the company's first design director.
1946
The Nelson Office designs the stylized "m" logo and introduces a new corporate image for Herman Miller.
Nelson and De Pree recruit Charles and Ray Eames into the Herman Miller fold.
The Eames molded plywood chair, molded plywood lounge chair, molded plywood folding screen, and molded plywood coffee table are introduced.
The Nelson platform bench is introduced.
New York's Museum of Modern Art installs a small exhibition called "New Furniture Designed by Charles Eames"--the museum's first one-man furniture show.
1947
Herman Miller gains exclusive market and distribution rights to the Eameses' award-winning molded plywood products. These rights are acquired from the Evans Products Company of Grand Haven, Michigan, which retains production rights.
1948
Herman Miller publishes and sells a bound, hardcover product catalog, written by George Nelson and designed by the Nelson Office. The catalog articulates Herman Miller's philosophy and principles about business and design. It is believed to be the first time a furniture catalog is sold, rather than distributed free. It becomes a collector's item.
Herman Miller introduces a glass-topped coffee table designed by Isamu Noguchi.
1949
Molded plywood manufacturing moves from the Grand Haven, Michigan, manufacturing site of Evans Products to a Herman Miller manufacturing facility in Zeeland. Another manufacturing plant, which later becomes the Eames Studio, opens in Venice, California.
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