100 Years of Innovation

Celebrating Our Centennial

Our story of design and innovation began in 1919 when Henry Sonnenberg founded a machine-tool manufacturing company in Europe. By cultivating relationships with fellow entrepreneurs and industrialists, his small business gradually expanded and evolved to become the leading purveyor of advanced, beautifully crafted window fashions, which are now found in stunning buildings and homes across the country.

Hunter Douglas has produced some of the most innovative product breakthroughs on the market. Our extensive portfolio of versatile shades, shutters, sheers and blinds—all designed and custom crafted in North America—reflects our passion for transforming light through exceptional design and style.

Reaching our 100th anniversary, we celebrate the textiles and technology that make Hunter Douglas shades the most innovative in the industry.

Milestones of Design and Style

1919: Henry Sonnenberg establishes a machine-tool manufacturing company in Germany

1946: Sonnenberg partners with American entrepreneur and inventor Joe Hunter, together designing revolutionary lightweight aluminum blinds

1960-1980: Hunter Douglas expands its operations in Europe and into Australia and Latin America

1985: Duette^® launches with a groundbreaking, energy-efficient honeycomb design that keeps homes warm in the winter and cool in the summer

1989: Operating system Duolite^® launches, offering light-filtering and room-darkening fabrics in a single shade

1991: Silhouette^® is unveiled with patented S-vanes, designed to provide subtle light diffusion and privacy

1994: Vignette^® is released, a modern Roman shade without exposed rear cords for a sleek look and enhanced child safety 

1996: An early player in motorization, PowerRise^® is introduced as a battery-powered remote control system

1997: Luminette^® launches with soft, vertical rotating vanes fastened to the back of a sheer for variable light control and privacy

2001: LiteRise^® launches, a manual operating system without lift cords for enhanced child safety and an uncluttered appearance

2007: Pirouette^® Window Shadings are released, with a bold, modern design featuring contoured fabric vanes that open and close to control light filtration and privacy

2010: Hunter Douglas Retail Alliance Program debuts, the first of its kind in the industry created to help loyal dealers build their businesses

2015: Operating system PowerView^® Motorization is introduced; compatible with smart-home systems such as Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant, it allows shades to be operated from a smartphone, tablet or via the Pebble^® remote control

2017: Sonnette^® Cellular Roller Shades launch, combining the energy-efficient construction of a cellular shade with the clean lines of a roller shade

2019: Hunter Douglas celebrates 100 years of innovation