Gerald Summers

Gerald Summers (1899–1967) was a British mid-century modern furniture designer. He came to prominence with his design for the Bent Plywood Armchair. Another of his noted works was the Two-Tier Table. Both pieces were designed in 1934 and manufactured by Makers of Simple Furniture, the firm he founded in 1931.

Life Summers was born in Alexandria, Egypt in 1899, the youngest of six children. He attended Eltham College located in the south eastern part of London. At school Gerald won a prize for carpentry - he made a pipe rack.

In 1915, Summers left school at the age of 16 with no plans. An apprenticeship through a family friend who practiced at the Ruston Engineering Firm followed, but his experience was cut short when he joined the army during World War I. With its smooth surface and lack of metal connectors, it is hygienic and deteriorates only gradually. Its unusual shape may stem from Alvar Aalto's furniture, especially the spectacular “Paimio” chair, which was shown in London in 1933. However, the redating of Makers of Simple Furniture's bent-plywood coffee skid to March 1933 calls this into question. This is the only product made by The Makers of Simple Furniture known to have been sold in the United States.

Other Works Gerald's other designs included: the "Z" Type Table, Three Legged Table with two tiers, Folding Coffee Table, Coffee Skid, Book Units, Dinner Wagon, Bookcase Desk.