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Carpet tiles: Heuga's bitumen-backed needlefelt squares (Netherlands, c. 1956–58)

Research finding · not yet checked at the source

Made by: P. J. van Heugten (Heuga)
Date: c. 1956–1958 (sources differ)
Place: Netherlands
Materials: needlefelt, bitumen backing
Themes: Rug-making techniques, Tools & equipment

View at the source Cited in chapter 1, note 40

Cite this source

“Carpet tiles: Heuga’s bitumen-backed needlefelt squares (Netherlands, c. 1956–58).” Research note. floordaily.net/floorfocus/carpet-tile-50-years-later-augsep-2007.

Research notes

How it works: carpet is made or backed so that it lies flat and stable when cut into squares. Early tiles used a heavy bitumen backing on needlefelt, and later ones used fusion-bonded or tufted face cloth with PVC or other backings. Tiles can be laid loose and lifted to reach wiring under office floors. History: a 2007 Floor Daily article credits the Dutch firm Heuga, which had made bicycle saddle covers and bought a needlepunch machine, with the first carpet tile about 50 years earlier. Its owner, P. J. van Heugten, wanted to cut the waste from wall-to-wall offcuts. The first tile was a bitumen-backed, 10-inch-square needlefelt. Conflicts: UK retailers say Heuga was founded in 1956, or that the first commercial tile came in 1958. The 1968 US 'HEUGA' trademark filing is not the invention date. Encyclopedia.com says tiles spread in the 1980s in open-plan offices. Interface (founded 1973) later bought Heuga (1988 per one source). Sources: https://floordaily.net/floorfocus/carpet-tile-50-years-later-augsep-2007/ · https://dctuk.com/blog/where-is-heuga · https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences-and-law/economics-business-and-labor/businesses-and-occupations/interface-inc · https://trademark.justia.com/owners/van-heugten-western-hemisphere-a-g-109064 Research note (Oct 2026): from search results; pages not opened.