Emeco to Emeco

In 1944, in the throes of WWII, the U.S. Navy needed a place to sit. They commissioned a chair that was lightweight, non-corrosive, fire resistant and, allegedly, torpedo proof. American furniture maker Emeco took on the challenge, and the now iconic 1006 Navy Chair was born, crafted from scrap aluminum – a wartime necessity. 2024 marks 80 years since Emeco’s purposeful beginnings, a journey which has seen the company from Hanover, Pennsylvania, evolve from a government and military supplier to a highly regarded international manufacturer of design furniture, boasting collaborations with many of the world’s leading architects and designers. ”Emeco to Emeco”, with exhibition design by Jasper Morrison, celebrates the transformative power of design and shines a spotlight on Emeco’s enduring commitment to handcraft, longevity and smart use of resources. Emeco has made furniture from waste materials since 1944 and, over the years, has pioneered the use of different recycled materials.