Celebrating 25 Years of Humanscale's Freedom Chair

If it’s good enough for the desks of Barack Obama and Tim Cook, it’s good enough for us.

Humanscale is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Freedom Chair, an office chair that redefined ergonomic design when it was introduced in 1999 by visionary designer Niels Diffrient and Humanscale founder Bob King. Together, they revolutionized workplace seating by removing the eyesore mess of knobs and levers, creating a chair that intuitively adapts to the user’s body weight and movements for effortless support – without the need to fiddle with manual adjustments.

“The Freedom chair has set the gold standard for ergonomic seating over the past 25 years by pioneering self-adjusting seating and transforming workplace wellness,” shares Bob King, Founder and CEO of Humanscale. “As we reflect on 25 years of success, we honor Niels’s legacy and his relentless pursuit of innovation which continues to inspire and create healthier workplaces across the globe.”

Niels Diffrient

Niels Diffrient sketching in his studio

To honor its lasting impact on modern workspaces, Humanscale has unveiled the Freedom 25, a limited-edition version of this iconic chair. Luxuriously crafted and limited to just 250 numbered pieces, the Freedom 25 features upgraded aluminum accents on the headrest and handles, a variety of upholstery options by Kvadrat, and special commemorative branding, including an edition number alongside Diffrient’s signature. This commemorative edition retails for $7,500, offering design enthusiasts of the chair the rare chance to own a piece of history.

True to Humanscale’s commitment to environmental stewardship, the brand is also incorporating the Freedom Chair into its Ocean Collection. The new Freedom Ocean variation uses two pounds of ocean-bound plastic, including reclaimed fish nets that are detriment to the health of our ocean ecosystems. As a certified B Corporation, Humanscale continues to lead the way in creating environmentally responsible products without compromising on luxury or comfort.

For 25 years, the Freedom Chair has set the standard for ergonomic excellence, earning a spot in the prestigious Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. Now, with the Freedom 25, you can own a piece of this legacy, blending ergonomic innovation, elegant design, and environmental responsibility.

To upgrade your office or learn more about the Freedom 25 special edition chair, visit humanscale.com.

As the Senior Contributing Editor, Vy Yang is obsessed with discovering ways to live well + with intention through design. She's probably sharing what she finds over on Instagram stories. You can also find her at vytranyang.com.

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