Nelson traveled throughout Europe and subsequently met several of the early European modernists. Through his writing in “Pencil Points,” he introduced Walter Gropius, Mies van der Rohe, Le Corbusier and Gio Ponti to the American public.
His “storagewall” units, widely publicized through a 1945 issue of Life magazine, doubled as room dividers, redefining the concept of the office. Herman Miller subsequently recruited him, where he served as design director from 1946 to 1965.
During his tenure there, Nelson brought many fine designers to the Herman Miller, including Charles and Ray Eames, Isamu Noguchi, Harry Bertoia, Alexander Girard and Buckminster Fuller. Nelson and the talented designers working for him produced many milestone designs during this time, including the whimsical marshmallow sofa, the coconut chair, the Catenary furniture group, the slat bench and a line of clocks and bubble lamps.
Many iconic designs came out of Nelson's own design firm. As was customary, he received credit...and still does...for the work done by designers employed by his firm.
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| Marshmallow sofa classicdesign.it |
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| Catenary chairs dailyicon.net |
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| Spindle clock georgenelson.org |
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| Slat bench treadwaygallery.com |
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| Coconut chair architecture.sk |
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| George Nelson with a display of bubble lamps from a 1952 copy of Interiors Magazine modernica.net |
Update: 11/24/2013 - I recently ran across this photo of George Nelson that I had never seen before. It's the first really good informal shot of him I've ever seen, and I think it's my new favorite.
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| miniaturechairman.com |
I have ALWAYS wanted a coconut chair. It and the diamond chair by Bertoia. Best chairs ever!
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