Welcome to the “Schmiede der Visionen,” the Interstuhl Group museum

On the weekend of July 12 and 13, 2025, Tieringen will celebrate its 750th anniversary—a very special occasion that will be marked with a large village festival. To mark these celebrations, Interstuhl will open the doors to its new company museum for the first time. In the former home and forge of Wilhelm and Hilda Link, visitors can look forward to a journey through seven decades of company history – from village blacksmith to international manufacturer of seating furniture and provider of room solutions.

A place steeped in history – and full of stories

With this museum, Interstuhl has created a special place of remembrance and experience. And there could be no more fitting location than the former home of the Link family, right where it all began: the village smithy on Neue Straße.
This was not only a place of forging, but also of tinkering, cooking, washing, painting, and ultimately of founding a company. In the exhibition rooms, we bring this journey to life: beginning with the Link family's traditional blacksmithing craft dating back to 1731, the exhibition takes visitors through turbulent times – from the 1930s to the post-war years, the economic boom of the 1960s, the pioneering days of the first work chairs, and on to the modern product world of today. The rooms are arranged chronologically and take visitors on a journey through decades full of courage, inventiveness, and genuine Swabian can-do spirit. The focus is not only on technical developments, but above all on the people involved. Their roles, challenges, and little anecdotes are given their rightful place.

Highlights of the exhibition: From the „bi-regulette“ to the “Goldenen Muffe”

What makes the museum so special? It is the many milestones, large and small, that have shaped Interstuhl's journey. A central element of the exhibition is the so-called initial spark: When Werner Link observed seamstresses sitting on fruit crates in the regional textile industry in the 1960s, this prompted him to develop the first work chair – the bi-regulette. This invention laid the foundation for what Interstuhl is today: a leading international company for ergonomic seating solutions in various fields of work. In addition to the products, however, it is the personal stories and anecdotes that bring the exhibition to life. Visitors learn how champagne corks were used as furniture glides in the early years because plastic parts were not available. Or how chickens were quickly relocated after they had “decorated” freshly painted chair frames. These are just some of the daily challenges faced by the Swabian inventive spirit in rural Germany.
Technological milestones such as the development of Safelift technology, Werner Link's response to safety concerns regarding gas springs, impressively demonstrate how Interstuhl has always responded to challenges with innovative strength. Werner Link was even awarded the “Golden Sleeve” for this solution – a wonderful example of how a problem can be turned into a successful product.

An emotional journey through time

The exhibition is more than just a series of exhibits – it is a lively journey through time, tracing the history of a family business with strong roots in Tieringen. Each room represents a decade of the company's development and is authentically designed, from the historic forge and the first workshop to modern working environments.
It becomes clear that the family business was never “just” a chair manufacturer. The exhibition shows how diverse the business was in its early years – with a smithy, gas station, laundry, agricultural machinery workshop, and even its own farm. The roles of the family members are also impressively highlighted: Hilda Link as cook and all-rounder, daughter Lenore as organizational talent and soul of the company, Werner Link as technical visionary. The tour is brought to life by original pieces, documents, and lovingly staged scenes – but above all by the stories behind them. Complemented by charming anecdotes and genuine memories, the tour becomes a very personal and emotional experience. It's not just about products – it's about attitude, pioneering spirit, and solidarity across generations.