The Herman Miller Aeron is one of the most popular chairs and continues to wear the crown of being the king of all office chairs. This chair dates back to 1992 when it was first discovered. This was the first office chair that had all the bells and whistles. Technology has grown so much since then, but the Aeron continues to be the most purchased chair.
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Herman Miller Aeron Links
- Discovery of the Herman Miller Aeron
- The First Aeron Experience
- Releasing the Aeron
- Pop Culture and the Aeron
- Why the Aeron Remained Popular
- Aeron Remastered Design
- Gaming Chair Edition
1. Discovery of the Herman Miller Aeron
Computers started to become more popular and manual data entry became a thing of the past. This created a massive demand for a more structured office chair since workers were performing repetitive tasks on computers. Herman Miller got a great opportunity to create an advanced and eye-catching chair for that time. The chair made its first debut in 1994.
2. The First Aeron Experience
Today the Aeron is still a great functional chair even after 30 years. It was added to the Museum of Modern Design because there was nothing like it. The use of mesh came from a failed medical chair design called the Sara. The mesh is something that sets it apart than any other feature. It’s breathable and elastic which created an experience for the average person that was unheard of. It gave the chair a unique and modern look.
This chair had features like adjustable arms, seat height, tilt limiter and lumbar support. There were so many ways to get more comfortable than the basic chair. The build and functionality helped it become so popular.
3. Releasing the Aeron
When the Aeron was released in 1994, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. It was known as the .com bubble which created an all-time demand for workers that would sit at a computer all day long. It was one of the most expensive chairs during that time, so companies took advantage. It became a phenomenon, and if you had multiple Aeron chairs in the office, it essentially showed how good your company was doing and how much buying power a company had.
Eventually, these companies started going out of business which makes you think this is the end of the Aeron chairs. Not necessarily, their reputation was so built up that it didn’t have a negative impact. In fact, companies started selling the chairs used and at a fraction of the cost. It suddenly became a piece of furniture that anyone could buy, not just businesses.
4. Pop Culture and the Aeron
Pop culture was a big factor that helped this chair stay on top. It became popular on tv shows and movie sets therefore these chairs were seen everywhere. This was a powerful tactic that Herman Miller appreciated. The recording studio was another area where the Aeron chairs would be spotted. There would be YouTube videos doing interviews or recording sessions showing the chair.
5. Why the Aeron Remained Popular
The design itself was made to last for decades. It is a great investment in my opinion because it’s still being bought today. The size options and adjustments allowed companies to order the same chair for the entire office instead of having to buy a whole bunch of custom-made chairs.
The Warranty is a significant feature because people knew this chair was going to last a long time. It gave them confidence to buy a higher ticket item. The reselling process is also easy to do because the chair retains its value. This was before the cheap, imported plastics became so popular.
6. Aeron Remastered Design
In 2016, Herman Miller thought the Aeron needed a revamp to stick with the times. The Aeron Remastered became available with the old design being called the classic. From the looks, there wasn’t a huge change. Some cables were cleaned up, the mesh was updated and all around more of a modern feel. There were also more cushioned arm pads and a newer lumbar system.
The iconic look stayed the same while the functionalities were updated, and the comfort increased. These updates helped the Aeron stay top of mind for people. The Aeron remained one of the best ergonomic office chairs.
7. Gaming Chair Edition
Going a step further, they introduced a gaming edition for the gaming community. This edition doesn’t have any added functions but does have a unique all black look. It will match any gaming setup and it does not have that racing style seat.
Bottom Line
Ultimately, the Herman Miller Aeron has been around for a long time, so I don’t think it is going anywhere anytime soon. So, get yourself one of these impressive chairs to make your opinion on.
