Our Story
Inspired by Airplane Propeller
Matthews came to know the story of how Geraldo Barros, a retired commercial pilot, was inspired by the propeller on his plane and came up with the idea of a fan design that was both unique and timeless. After getting a tour of the manufacturing facility, Matthews—enticed by the beauty of the fans—began importing and selling them to friends and family, before eventually distributing them to retailers.
In 1992, Chuck Matthews started designing his own ceiling fans in Chicago and formed Matthews Fan Company. Matthews, a company which was built from the ground up, not only holds a true passion for the industry. They also recognize the importance of individuality. Matthews combines machine age aesthetics, expert metalwork and beautiful designs to create one-of-a-kind fans. With the company’s Matthews-Gerbar brand, handmade in the US and Brazil, and the Atlas brand, they offer functional and unique ceiling and wall fans with a modern and retro appeal.