HARVEY PROBBER

Harvey Probber (1922-2003) was an American furniture designer credited with inventing sectional, modular seating in the 1940s. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Probber's interest in furniture design began during high school when he sold his first sofa design at the age of 16. After graduating, he worked at Trade Upholstery, where he started as a designer.

In 1945, Probber founded his company, Harvey Probber, Inc., and became a leading figure in American modern furniture design. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Probber favored exotic woods, highly polished lacquer, hand-rubbed finishes, and luxurious upholstery fabrics. This set him apart from more radical, Bauhaus-influenced designers. His elegant modern furniture attracted customers looking for sophistication and style.

In 1947, Probber moved his showroom to Grand Rapids, the center of the furniture manufacturing industry, and later opened a dedicated showroom at 136 Fifth Avenue in New York. His company soon became one of the country's leading contemporary furniture firms. Probber's innovative designs, such as the elastic sling chair and Nuclear upholstered groups, were featured in MoMA’s Good Design exhibition in 1951, and he won several prestigious Roscoe industry awards.

Probber's most significant contribution to furniture design was his modular seating concept. He realized that combining geometric elements with conventional shapes could create flexible and adaptable furniture configurations. His Sert Group, named after architect Jose Luis Sert, featured nineteen different elements that could be assembled in various ways. This modular system concept extended to tables, with interchangeable legs and case goods, allowing for numerous variations on a single design.

By the 1970s, Harvey Probber, Inc. had opened trade showrooms in major design centers across the country and shifted focus from residential to contract furniture, catering to larger, more lucrative markets. During this period, Probber's work earned two "Best of Neocon" Gold Awards for the Houston Chair in 1977 and the Advent III Customization Program in 1981. Despite this shift, he continued to innovate in seating module design.

Probber's influence extended beyond his lifetime, with his designs being reintroduced to the American market by M2L. His work is celebrated for its timeless quality and ability to age gracefully, a testament to his design philosophy. Probber's modular seating and elegant modern furniture continue to inspire contemporary designers and remain relevant in today's market.

Throughout his career, Probber's unique approach to modern design, combining luxurious materials with modular functionality, set him apart from his peers. His contributions to the field have left a lasting legacy, cementing his place as a pioneer in American furniture design.