Peter Müller-Munk was born Klaus Peter Wilhelm Müller in Berlin in 1904 and was trained in art and metalwork at the University of Berlin. His early education emphasized traditional craftsmanship, particularly silversmithing, which shaped his lifelong respect for material and process. In 1926, he emigrated to the United States, seeking broader artistic and professional opportunities. He began his American career at Tiffany and Company in New York, working as a silversmith and designer. During this period, his Art Deco silver objects attracted critical attention for their sculptural clarity and modern forms. His work was exhibited at major institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, signaling early recognition. By the late 1920s, he had established himself as both an artist and a forward-looking designer. These formative years bridged European decorative traditions with emerging American modernism.

In 1929, Müller-Munk opened his own design firm and began selling his work through major retail venues such as Macy’s. His reputation expanded dramatically with the creation of the Normandie water pitcher in 1935, a defining example of Streamline Modern design. This object embodied speed, motion, and industrial elegance through its teardrop form and seamless metal surface. Soon after, he moved beyond decorative arts into industrial design, applying the same principles to mass-produced consumer goods. In 1938, he relocated to Pittsburgh to help establish the first industrial design degree program at Carnegie Mellon University. His teaching shaped a generation of designers and formalized industrial design as an academic discipline. That same year, he founded Peter Müller-Munk Associates, which became one of the most influential design firms in mid century America. Through this firm, he worked with major corporations on everything from appliances and tools to transportation and architecture.