In the 1950s Knoll emerged as a factor in the postwar proliferation of industry and technology. The Knoll Planning Unit prospered under Florence Knoll’s direction, expanding its customer base and strengthening its imprint on the emerging discipline of interior design; the collection of Knoll furniture designs continued to grow, with contributions from the brightest young product designers, both American and European; Knoll production was augmented by a talented group of industrial designers, who were part of the earliest product development group at the East Greenville factory. Sadly, the decade was marred by the tragic death of Hans Knoll. By the end of the decade Florence Knoll had sold the company. ©Brian Lutz
