| It is not every day that a piece of office future | | | | person sitting in it. Unlike predecessor chairs, which |
| makes its way to a major museum. The aeron | | | | were largely made of some kind of upholstery |
| chair is one of the few pieces of office furniture | | | | covering a cushion, this chair is designed to |
| to be much-beloved by users of its from 9 to 5, | | | | conform to the body that sits in it. It also offers |
| as well much admired by those who visit the New | | | | many different types of adjustments, which allow |
| York Museum of Modern Art, where it is on | | | | users to customize the chair to how they like to |
| display. The aeron chair is now a classic piece of | | | | sit. |
| office furniture and has spawned countless | | | | The chairs come with both high and wide back |
| imitators. First designed by 1994 by the Herman | | | | designs, and various ways to adjust the lumbar |
| Miller company, the chair was originally thought to | | | | support on the chair back as well. |
| be a dog, with absolutely no hope for market | | | | Ergonomically sound |
| appeal. | | | | Another reason the chair gained popularity is |
| Not long after, the chair was given Business | | | | because it came on the scene about the same |
| Weeks Designs of the Decade award. And soon | | | | time that companies began to pay attention to |
| after, it made appearances on television shows | | | | ergonomics and the high cost of bad posture |
| and in movies. | | | | encouraged by other types of chair designs. While |
| Catching on | | | | the original cost of the chair might have been |
| Indeed, the chair did catch on, becoming the de | | | | higher than its competitors, many companies |
| rigueur office chair of the well-appointed office | | | | found that the chair's ergonomic advantages |
| space in the early days. In the early days, it was | | | | more than justified the increased cost. Since that |
| a chair used primarily by executives, in part | | | | time, many companies have taken the same |
| because of its high price tag. But prices of the | | | | steps, rationalizing that the extra couple hundred |
| chair have come down to within reach of more | | | | dollars for the chair pales in comparison to the |
| modest budgets, and its popularity has grown | | | | cost of losing a valuable employee to lower back |
| from there. Today, some 15 years later, aeron | | | | pain or other issues cause by bad chair designs. |
| chairs continued to be found in offices | | | | For this reason, and because of the enduring |
| everywhere. | | | | charm of the design, the aeron chair long ago |
| The chair gained popularity in part for its comfort. | | | | found a home outside the home and inside the |
| Made of a flexible mesh material, called pellicle, the | | | | home offices of many as well. |
| chair is designed to stretch and mold to the | | | | |