When Art Meets Accessibility

Getting the most of the best to the greatest number of people for the least. — Charles and Ray Eames

Charles and Ray Eames had a vision for design that was revolutionary and very needed at their time in history. The post war landscape left many in need of lower cost housing and furniture. Often families were forced to live in much smaller quarters than they had before the war. This also necessitated furniture design that focused on maximum functionality with a minimum footprint. The Eames duo were very focused on solving the practical and fiscal problem, while continuing to innovate and dream in the realm of design.

The iconic fiberglass chair was a stroke of genius. This particular material had been used during World War 2 but never for furniture design. Eames thought of using the polyester reinforced with fiberglass, known as Zenaloy, to mold a seamless one piece seat that could be fitted with interchangeable bases. The one piece design with this less expensive substance, made mass production a viable option. This allowed the costs to remain low, and gave many poorer families after the war access to fine design and functionality.

Eames first introduced the chair in 1948 at the International Competition of Low Cost Furniture Design. This competition was held by the Museum of Modern Art. This entry was the first of it's kind. Never before had a chair been manufactured as a one piece with no added upholstery. The chair was featured in an art display at the Museum of Modern Art two years later in 1950. Herman Miller furniture company was the first to sell the design and in 1957 a European company called Vitra signed a deal with Herman Miller to begin selling their designs in Europe.

The Eames partnership proved to themselves and to the industry with this chair, that elegant modern design could be made accessible to the masses. This vision of opening a door to fine design to the common man is, in my opinion, part of what has made their designs stand the test of time. Not only are their designs brilliant and beautiful, but their humility in extending their design genius to reach as many people as possible has given a sense of invitation in every piece they've made.

The Eames Fiberglass chair can be found in almost any design magazine you pick up today. The simple clean design seamlessly blends with almost any design style. They are smart, surprisingly comfortable, and come in a wide range of colors and prices. It is a joy to integrate the visionary sculptures of these midcentury modern designers into our practical, every day lives.