David Rowland : 40/4 Chair

A mid-century American design pioneer, David Rowland (1924-) is best known for his 40/4 chair. Launched in 1964, it is so named because forty chairs can be stacked on just four legs - an unprecedented achievement that created a whole new category of versatile seating.

Initially rejected by all the major furniture brands, including Herman Miller and Knoll, the 40/4 chair went on to become one of the most popular chairs ever produced, winning numerous awards and selling over 8 million units by the beginning of the 21st century. Today, it features in the permanent collections of museums around the world and adorns public and private spaces of all kinds - from cathedrals to cultural centres.

Featuring over 250 photographs and documents, many of them previously unpublished, this monograph traces the career of David Rowland and his 40/4 chair. It covers all of Rowland's work before and after the creation of his masterpiece.