René Herbst

René Herbst (1891-1982) was a French industrial designer and architect who played a significant role in the development of modern design in France during the first half of the 20th century. He is best known for his furniture designs, which were characterized by their functional, minimalistic and innovative approach.
 
Herbst was one of the pioneers of the "machine aesthetic" in France, which was influenced by the Bauhaus movement in Germany. He was interested in industrial materials, such as steel, aluminum and glass, and was one of the first designers to use these materials in furniture design. He was also known for his use of tubular steel in furniture, which he considered an ideal material for modern design.
 
Some of Herbst's most famous furniture designs include the "B3" chair, which was made from tubular steel and leather, and the "Chaise Sandows", a chair made from rubber bands stretched across a metal frame. He also designed a range of metal furniture for hospitals, schools, and other public spaces.
 
In addition to his work as a designer, Herbst was also an active member of the French architectural and design community. He served as the president of the Union des Artistes Modernes (Union of Modern Artists) from 1934 to 1936 and was a founding member of the Salon des Artistes Décorateurs (Exhibition of Decorative Artists). His work has been exhibited in museums and galleries around the world, and his designs continue to be influential in the world of modern design today.