Since couple upcoming posts will feature Charles and Ray Eames (and the great exhibit currently at the Architecture and Design Museum in Los Angeles), I thought I'd revisit a guest blog post I wrote for Inspired Design Daily a few months back. So, keep reading for an overview of Charles and Ray's history and philosophy, and keep an eye out for more updates, images, and our take on the innovation of these two iconic American designers in the coming week!
In the past few years, we've seen the proliferation of modular structures, from shipping container shelters to pre-fabricated homes, but the mass products began decades ago, and the prolific use of these designs today is a testament to high-quality design and construction, as well as a visionary spirit. I'm referring to the work of Charles and Ray Eames, pioneers in the mass-production of furniture and mid-century design.
Husband and wife teams are fairly prevalent these days, but this wasn't necessarily the case early in the twentieth century. However, when partnerships were formed, they enabled women to participate in the modern design movement. This was the case for the Eameses, who are considered by some to be the most influential American furniture designers of the century.
Ray's background was in painting and sculpture, while Charles was trained as an architect. Collaborating since their marriage in 1941 until Charles' death in 1978, they created designs still produced and widely used throughout the world decades later.
The first to experiment with molded plywood, their interest in the material began with a contract from the U.S. Navy to produce splints during World War II, which led to the generation of furniture protoypes, later mass-produced by the Herman Miller Furniture Company, who continues to manufacture their designs. These plywood innovations won numerous awards from MoMA for low-cost furniture and made good design accessible to a much greater demographic.
In the late 1940's, the couple created another game changing innovation: the molded fiberglass collection of furniture, also fabricated and distributed by Herman Miller, including the chaise (above), along with chairs and rockers.
Things have certainly changed since then, and today, almost everything we use is mass-produced, which has spurred a recent movement back towards the handmade. However, next time you see an Eames rocker, chaise or plywood chair, consider the spirit of innovation and experimentation that led to its creation.
And make sure to have a seat; they are not only beautiful and iconic, but are some of the most comfortable pieces of mid-century design...
Cheers! Lauren
