Mid-century modern

Eames, Nelson, Saarinen and Knoll made American furniture an international model.

Charles and Ray Eames moulded plywood and fibreglass for Herman Miller, where George Nelson was design director. Eero Saarinen's Tulip chair and Harry Bertoia's wire chairs were made by Knoll, led by Florence Knoll. Isamu Noguchi made coffee tables and paper lamps.

Tupperware, car fins and Paul Rand's logos showed another side of post-war American society: consumption, advertising and corporate identity.