*Fantastic. The guy is 81 years old. He's like a vast, spreading oak tree.
He's such a titan of industrial design that I feel not one whiff of embarrassment
in posting his product ads wholesale!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niels_Diffrient
http://www.humanscale.com/newsroom/pressDetail.cfm?press_id=2791
NEW YORK, May 27, 2009 — Humanscale introduces the Diffrient World chair by legendary designer Niels Diffrient. Representing ultimate simplicity in a high-performance task chair, Diffrient World sets an exciting new bar in sustainable task seating design, due in great part to a significant new advance in dynamic recline technology. (((And when they say the guy advances seating technology, they're not kidding about that. The guy literally wrote the book on human ergonomics.)))
Made from just eight major parts and weighing less than 25 pounds, the Diffrient World chair achieves Humanscale’s signature weight-sensitive recline through an innovative new design that functions without a mechanism. Utilizing two frame components, the user’s body weight, and the laws of physics, the Diffrient World chair’s mech-free recline action automatically adjusts to the needs of each user, offering appropriate levels of resistance without unnecessary locks, dials or other manual controls.
Like its older sibling, the award-winning Liberty chair, the Diffrient World chair features Form-Sensing Mesh Technology that ensures perfect lumbar support for every user without the external, manually adjusted lumbar devices found on all other mesh chairs. Additionally, a mesh seat pan with a frameless front edge provides all-day comfort with soft support under the thighs.
By achieving high levels of performance and functionality with just 80 parts overall—less than one-third the parts of traditional task chairs—the Diffrient World chair is assured of long-term durability that far exceeds its competitors. Quite simply, fewer parts, controls and mechanisms translate into fewer things that can go wrong over time. As such, the Diffrient World chair is backed by an industry-best 15-year 24/7 warranty. (((It's nice to know that there are still some expensive consumer items I genuinely desire to own. For a while there I thought it was gonna be all generative cardboard and Firefox plug-ins for me.)))
Additionally, the chair’s ultra-light weight and minimal-part design requires significantly less raw material and fewer manufacturing processes than its competitors. As a result, two to three Diffrient World chairs have the same overall environmental impact as a single traditional task chair. Its durability and modularity—for easy in-field upgrades—further minimize its carbon footprint to ensure a long life of service. And when the chair does finally need to be replaced, its simple limited-part design makes disassembly a snap so that 95% of its components can easily be recycled. (((And the freakin' thing is "global" AND "sustainable"! Be still, my heart!)))
The Diffrient World chair offers fixed or adjustable armrests that move with the sitter for continuous ergonomic support during recline. An armless model is also available, along with an optional upholstered seat cushion that floats on a mesh support structure for exceptional sitting comfort.
Full production of the Diffrient World chair will begin in July. List pricing starts at $740 (((aw come on! It's even cheap!))) and the chair will debut with three mesh styles, a variety of mesh colors, and three frame color options: black, silver or white. (((Cyberpunk chrome and matte black sir! Right over here! Woah!)))
For more information about Humanscale and its full range of ergonomic solutions, visit www.humanscale.com or call 800-400-0625.
