Eero Aarnio (*1932)

The finnish designer Eero Aarnio, born in 1932, studied from 1954 to 1957 at the Institute of Industrial Arts in Helsinki and started in 1962 with his own office as an interior and industrial designer.

Engaged in new ideas of furniture he designed the Ball Chair already in 1963; it was produced some years later. Material (fibre glass) and shape were complete novelties for that time's furniture industry.

In the following years fibre glass as used in boat construction became one of Aarnio's favorite materials. The resistant and well workable fibre glass enabled Aarnio to design ergonomic forms without restrictions - and intriguing new ones too.

With Pastil Chair (American Industrial Design-Award 1968) and Tomato Chair he earned international reputation. Chairs like these can be used both inside and outside, and they swim! - Besides, Pastil Chair gives a new, extraordinary idea of what a rocking chair is.