Recognizing the Need

It All Started with These Chairs

The long and fruitful collaboration between Herman Miller and Charles and Ray Eames began in 1946 with these chairs. The molded plywood chairs were the couple's first attempt at creating a chair that didn't need upholstery to be comfortable and that could be mass produced easily.

How Far Could Wood Be Pushed?

Not long after Charles and Ray were married, in 1941, they began experimenting with just how far wood as a material could be pushed. Playing around with a variety of wood-molding techniques, they made a number of discoveries that led to a commission from the U.S. Navy to develop plywood splints, stretchers, and glider shells used in World War II.

Charles said that recognizing the need is the primary condition for design. With the war over and the post-war boom beginning, Charles and Ray recognized a need for furniture that was of high quality and affordable, and that could be used in a variety of ways in the rapidly changing average American home. And it occurred to them that the technology they had created for the Navy—molding wood using heat and pressure—could be adapted for furniture.

Recognizing the need is the primary
condition for design. - Charles Eames

Things Changed

The introduction of the molded plywood chairs, with their lightweight, compound curves, and streamlined visual profile changed furniture design and manufacturing forever. Sculpting a seat and back that fit the contours of the human body, while using relatively inexpensive materials and mass production, the Eames team created a truly comfortable, not to mention revolutionary, chair that's as fresh in today's homes as when the soldiers came marching home from World War II.

General Dimensions

• H:28.75"
• W:19.375"
• D:21.75"

Care & Maintenance

With regular care and maintenance, your Herman Miller product will provide many years of superior performance and satisfaction. To maintain quality, please follow the cleaning procedures outlined here.

The instructions for the care and maintenance of Herman Miller products are provided to you as a service. No warranty is implied since results may vary.

Chrome

For normal cleaning, wet cheesecloth in a nonabrasive cleaner, like liquid dish soap, and rub the chrome component lightly until the original luster reappears. Dry the component with a soft cloth to remove any soap residue.

Solid Wood and Veneer

For normal cleaning, dust furniture daily with a slightly damp, soft cloth. Wipe dry with a dry, soft cloth in the direction of the wood grain. Once a month, clean the surface with a soft cloth dampened with a quality cleaner formulated for wood furniture. Wipe the surface in the direction of the wood grain to remove dirt and fingerprints. Wipe dry with a clean, dry cloth. Twice a year, apply a good quality emulsion wax to the finish with a soft cloth. Emulsion wax is clear and prevents fingerprints.

For minor repair of water rings, stains, and scratches, rub the surface lightly in the direction of the wood grain using No. 000 steel wool. Apply a scratch-removing polish with a color and value that simulate the veneer. If the scratches are deep, consult a professional furniture refinisher.