The Womb Chair Celebrates 75 Years

Revolutionary in 1948 and resonant today in homes, workplaces, and the cultural zeitgeist, the Womb Chair persists as a ubiquitous beacon of comfort and icon of modern design.

Office Works Womb Chair 75 Years HERO 3

The Womb Chair Celebrates 75 Years

Revolutionary in 1948 and resonant today in homes, workplaces, and the cultural zeitgeist, the Womb Chair persists as a ubiquitous beacon of comfort and icon of modern design.

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The need for unbound comfort

Initially, Eero Saarinen began working on designs for smaller fiberglass task chairs, but changed direction when Florence Knoll approached him and asked, “Why not take the bull by the horns and do the big one first? I want a chair that is like a basket full of pillows…something I can curl up in.”

While that’s not exactly where Saarinen ended up, the suggestion inspired one of the most iconic, and comfortable, chairs of the modern furniture movement.

The Womb Chair
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A new form takes shape

He and Florence heard of a New Jersey-based commercial shipbuilder who was experimenting with fiberglass and resin. After many iterations and prototypes, the fiberglass form was perfected. Coupled with ample armrests and a sweeping backrest, the comforting cup-like effect that Florence craved took shape.

The Womb Chair
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An icon overnight

The Womb Chair saw instant popularity upon its release and quickly ascended to cultural icon status. The chair’s immediately recognizable form, and the ideas behind its initial design intent—to answer our primal need for unbound comfort—continue to resonate across generations.

The Womb Chair
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Discover Real Comfort

Connect with the OfficeWorks team today to learn more!