The U.S Postal Service has dedicated a stamp to Gilbert Rohde as part of their new Pioneers of American Industrial Design series. The stamp pane honors 12 of the nation’s most important and influential industrial designers. Each stamp features the name of a designer and the image of an object they created, along with a brief description. The Gilbert Rohde stamp features a clock he designed for the then Herman Miller Clock Company in 1933.
Gilbert Rohde was one of the most influential and innovative furniture designers in the U.S. He opened his own interior and furniture design firm in the late 1920’s, and by 1931 was designing furniture for Herman Miller’s mass production. Rohde took on the formal role of design director for the Herman Miller Furniture Company in 1932. His emphasis on compact, functional and affordable pieces for both home and office played a vital role in Herman Miller’s transition into modern furniture, in which it became an American pioneer and a dominant force following World War II.
This marks the second time in three years that a designer associated with Herman Miller has been acknowledged for their contribution to modern industrial design. The U.S. Postal Service dedicated a colorful and provocative pane of 16 stamps honoring Charles and Ray Eameses’ significant influence on modern design that included furniture, film and exhibits.
The Pioneers of American Industrial Design Forever stamps were dedicated at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in New York City. They are now available for purchase at Post Offices, online at The Postal Store, or by calling 800-STAMP-24.