In the latter 20th century, there were four ways (apart from Florence Knoll herself) furniture designs were conceived and entered production with Knoll. The first was being an architect, one who had the reputation of his architectural achievements. Prime examples included Eero Saarinen, Mies van der Rohe and Warren Platner. The second path was that of industrial designers, who approached Knoll with their design ideas and succeeded in getting the company’s attention with their intriguing designs; Charles Pollock, Richard Sapper and Neils Diffrient come to mind. Artists also found a willing audience at Knoll; Harry Bertoia and Lucia Mercer are two examples.
The fourth path came from within Knoll’s own Design Development Group, based near the East Greenville, Pennsylvania plant. These designers, already discussed, include Don Albinson, Richard Schultz, Don Petitt, Bill Stephens and Max Pearson. In 1966, Jim Eldon graduated from Kent State University and—at 23 years old–joined the Design and Development Group. He became involved with the evaluation of furniture materials, refining the designs that passed through the department, development testing, and manufacturing engineering.1
Around 1970, Knoll began to investigate the need for institutional furniture, specifically lounge seating and associated tables. The design and development of this furniture was given to Jim Eldon. In 1976, Eldon explained the industrial design features of the furniture that carried his name: “My assignment was to establish a single set of components, to work in a modular way: all units are multiples of the chair; left and right arms are the same; and removable wood faces reduce production time, protect pieces that get the most wear, and make refinishing fairly simple. I scaled the design for big space.”2
The Eldon Collection was introduced in 1971, and included the No. 1011 Chair, 1012 Settee, 1013 Sofa, 1031 Bench, 1032 Bench, 1033 Bench, 3411 Coffee Table, 3412 End Table and the 3413 Coffee Table.3 The Eldon Collection was manufactured through 1978.4
1. “Knoll Designer Bios – Jim Eldon.” https://www.knoll.com/designer/Jim-Eldon
2. Christine Rae, “A New Order in Wood.” Knoll International tabloid (1976), 20.
3. Knoll International Furniture Price List 1973. 33, 91.
4. Knoll International Furniture Price List 1977/78 Contract/Residential, 13, 45. The Eldon Collection was not listed in the Knoll International Furniture Price List Contract/Residential 5/79.