Why The Aeron Chair Is SO Popular (part 3)

This chair may be the most iconic office chair in the world... but it's journey in history and pop culture is more interesting than you'd think.

Part 1: The Furniture Company That Changed The World

Part 2: Why Is Herman Miller So Expensive?

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For further reading, check out the sources for this video here:

Script: Holly Maley
Editor: Kirsten Stanley
Animator: Zachary Kastrukoff
Project Manager: Lurana McClure Rodríguez
Host: Levi Hildebrand

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[xmetal]

The Aeron chair that I am sitting in right now has been my office friend for a little over 20 years. In all that time I’ve only had to replace one part, it works just as well today as it did when I got it. There are a few items that can truly last decades and this chair has been a loyal companion that I can’t imagine giving up.

[kuyaChrischan]

As an owner of a HM Aeron (that I got for really cheap because the seller didn't know any better) this episode is well done and it shows how iconic this chair is.

[ropro]

When I bought my Aeron back in 2007, I was skeptical about spending over $1000 on a chair and whether it would stand the test of time. 15 years later, it's still rock solid, comfortable, never needed a repair or tune up and looks just as great as it did back then. Current amortized cost: $1000/15 = $66.7/year. Totally worth it and only getting cheaper.

[TheIrreverent]

The Aeron (and HM chairs in general) are second to none for ergonomics. I had spine surgery so a proper chair is paramount and when it's properly adjusted, these chairs are comfortable, supportive, and last forever. No more cheap Staples Specials for me (or my family if I can help it), it'll be an HM chair in my office.

[sudeepnbr]

I'm not sure if you know this, but there is something called as Aeron Hockey. It is played while sitting on the Aeron chair and it's super fun. Also, it shows how durable the chair is.
P.S. I'm an ex-Herman Miller employee, and I own an Aeron Chair. It's one of my most prized possessions.

[SkrToon]

When work from home started people at my workplace quickly found out how bad their home setup was compared to these office chairs that we had in the office. And… how expensive the chairs were. So many, citing ergonomic issues, tried to convince the company to reimburse their purchase for one of these chairs. That didn’t work but they let them take their chair from the office home for the duration. Now that we’re starting to return to the office there’s some argument from some employees over who keeps the chair! 😅

[GregAllison]

I remember yelling at the TV when my wife and I were watching Captain America Civil War because even the Avengers have Herman Miller Aeron chairs in the Stark Tower conference room.

[shawnodonahue]

I've had my own Aeron chair for a decade and love it, I'm sure it will be with me for decades to come. As someone who sits at a desk for hours on end the ergonomics are top notch and have helped me work in a more comfortable and therefore productive environment. As the owner of my company, everyone now has Aeron chairs. Its a good investment in our people and their health and a long term purchase without contributing to a lot of low grade products that become waste ending up in land fills after a short time to be replaced by more of the same perpetuating the cycle.

[neiliohara]

Got mine for $100! Spent $60 more on a few new parts and now I got my dream chair for less than $200! Really liked this HM series, been trying to find this chair at a price I can afford for about a decade, so I've done my fair share of research but still learned so much I never knew! i have some cheaper HM office chairs ive collected but the aeron was always my holy grail, just put the new parts on today so here's to a few good decades of sitting in style (and comfort!) 😊

[bigtee]

As a former in office worker (who has worked from home for like 13 years now) I liked my little cube. I felt safe in my small space with my secure walls.

[leegarnier]

Since the Aeron chair HM has definitely tried to innovate on other fields than ergonomics. They also did case study about 15 years ago for the relatively new Cradle to Cradle design strategy. It went quite a bit further than using ocean bound plastics. I believe it resulted in the Mirra.

I can't entirely remember if they were succesful in materializing the concept or whether or not they fully embraced and applied these ideas in future models. But I think it's admirable that they at least tried to look into the complete lifecycle of their product and its production process. Especially during an era where sustainability was perceived by many as more of a hippie thing.

I would be grateful if you could post a video about the adoption of cradle to cradle and why it has or hasn't been succesfully adopted.

[annieothername]

First time watching a Future Proof video and I am stunned by the work of your Editor, Kirsten
and Animator, Zachary. Smooth, crisp, not distracting or overblown. I also appreciate you putting their names in the desc!

[EyUpForAdventure]

Yep, sat on my Aeron watching this and I love it. Less than two years old though so hasn't stood the test of time for me yet.

Had no idea Herman Miller were involved in cubicles and the whole action office. Fascinating :)

[CybertroninfiniteOfficial]

My uncle works for Herman Miller, never have I been so excited to visit someone's workplace

[daniellesmit]

My previous company had these chairs and let us take them home during covid and it changed my work life at home. One day soon I will buy myself one of these because I have never sat on a more comfortable chair

[Joshwaa_s]

Sat here in a refurbed Aeron feeling even better about it now ahaha - also the fact you can add an adjustable headrest to this thing is the most underrated part and changes the game.
But for real all other desk chairs feel like spine assassins to me now

[farleylai]

In some companies, Herman Miller chairs form a class system where interns are assigned Mirra chairs while full-time employees sit on Aeron chairs.

[nukfauxsho]

I love my HM Aeron. Got a fully loaded one from work.

[harsha]

I picked up a used Aeron for $350 and it's still been going strong. This chair is amazing

[alexdelker]

Worth the hype and then some. Truly a legendary product.