Eames Fiberglass Chairs, 1948

Eames FIberglass Chairs


Last wednesday we visited an exhibition called "Del mundo al museo. Diseño de producto, patrimonio cultural" in the Museu del DIsseny Barcelona. In this exhibition we could see several product designs that are revolutionary in their own way. This is why, when we needed to write about something in this blog I kept thinking of a product that changed the way of thinking of a lot of people, a product that was revolutionary, THE EAMES FIBERGLASS CHAIR.

On October 23, 1947, a dinner was held at the Rainbow Room in Manhattan. Attended by various leaders of the United States furniture industry, and presided over by Nelson A. Rockefeller, President of the Museum of Modern Art, the event announced the International Competition for Low-Cost Furniture Design, which  was in collaboration with furniture retailers like Herman Miller, who agreed to produce the winning designs commercially. Various addresses were given that evening that highlighted the need for well-designed, moderately priced furnishings for the vast majority of people; furnishings that could be easily moved, stored and cared for, thus meeting the demand of modern living.

On January 18, 1949, they presented awards to the winners of the International Low-Cost Furniture Competition. Charles Eames and Ray Eames along with the University of California, Los Angeles, was announced as the second prize winner for seating units. The chair which was awarded the second prize was stamped steel, not fiberglass. The shell chair is believed to have been awarded a prize because of its thoroughly inventive base system. This system allowed for the shell to be utilized in a variety of different environments, be it in home of office life, seamlessly able to suit the needs of the consumer with the selection of the appropriate base type, and choice of arm or side chair. No other submission included such customizable variations.

“Early” 1949, In keeping with the Eameses constant striving to improve their designs, Charles sought out a change in production method. The re-examining of materials met the concerns of Herman Miller as far as production costs were concerned, as the price of steel molding was quite costly. Additionally, the original steel molded chairs had possibility of rusting after time and, additionally, were cold to the touch. So Charles, went to the workshop of John Wills, a noted fiberglass manufacturer and boat builder. In 1947 Wills had developed a manufacturing technique which allowed for fiberglass to cure at room temperature, eliminating the need for heat and pressure to be involved the process. Charles asked John to produce a fiberglass shell from his model.

Charles now had a prototype made out of fiberglass, now his concerns revolved around the possible issues that might arise with fiberglass production of his design, mainly in how to adhere the base to the shell, and how to treat the edge. Charles wanted to ensure a seamless design by incorporating a radius edge. These issues were resolved with the adherence of “buttons” to the shell with epoxy adhesives where the base met which allowed for it to be screwed in and secured. And Through the years, color and height options, shock mounts, base variations, and choices of upholstery have redoubled, making the chair not only easily reproducible but also highly customizable. 

INTERESTING LINK

http://www.hermanmiller.com/why/shell-shorts.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfzLzOl795E