The Story of Eames Furniture: Early Years; The Herman Miller Age

In this unique publication, Marilyn and
John Neuhart tells the story, to paraphrase
Charles Eames himself, of how Eames furniture
got to be the way it is. The Story of
Eames Furniture is a biography not of an
individual person, but of arguably the most
influential and important furniture brand
of our time. Brimming with more than
2,500 images and insider information, this
two-volume book in a slipcase sheds new
light on the context in which the furniture
of Charles and Ray Eames was created. It
documents in unparalleled detail how the
design process developed in the Eames Office
as well as the significant roles played
by specific designers and manufacturers.
Volume 1 presents the early years of the
Eames Office and its method of furniture
design and development. It introduces not
only Charles and Ray Eames, but also key
members of their design team including Eero
Saarinen, Harry Bertoia, Herbert Matter, and
others a widely diverse group of people
who did the day-by-day work on the furniture
projects and who together ultimately
turned contemporary design in a new direction.
This volume also focuses on Charles
Eames's early work with plywood and how he
adapted plywood-molding techniques into a
system to mass-produce furniture.
Volume 2 features the period from the
aftermath of the Second World War through
1978, the year of Charles Eames's death and
of the effective, functional end of the Eames
Office. By explaining the pioneering industry
processes used with innovative materials
such as fiberglass, wire, and aluminum, it
provides incomparable insight into how new
technologies served as the genesis for the
Most interesting pieces of Eames furniture.
This volume also focuses on the role of the
Herman Miller Furniture Company in the evolution of furniture design at the Eames
Office and investigates the influence of Don
Albinson, who was Charles Eames's primary
designer and technician from the mid-1940s
to 1960.
The Story of Eames Furniture celebrates
Charles Eames's vanguard cultural achievement
of giving modern society the opportunity
of materializing its identity through
furniture design that, even today, still tops
bestseller lists and has not lost any of its
original elegance, timelessness, freshness,
and quality.

Condition: Used, very good

Charles Eames (born June 17, 1907, died August 21, 1978) was an American designer and architect who, along with his wife Ray Eames, with whom he often worked in close collaboration, was one of the most influential figures of the 20th century in the fields of design and architecture. Their joint work has had a lasting impact on the furniture industry, product design and architecture. Here are some key aspects of his life and work:

1. Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman: Charles and Ray Eames are particularly known for their Eames Lounge Chair and its matching Ottoman. This piece of furniture is considered one of the most iconic designs of the 20th century and is characterized by its comfortable, ergonomic design and aesthetics.

2. Experimenting with new materials: Charles Eames was a pioneer in the use of new materials such as fiberglass, plywood and aluminum in furniture and architecture. This resulted in innovative designs that were both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

3. Film and Multimedia: The Eames also produced a number of short films presenting their design philosophy and ideas. One of their best known works is the film "Powers of Ten," which shows the scales in the universe.

4. Bauhaus influence: Charles Eames was heavily influenced by the ideas and principles of the Bauhaus, particularly designers Walter Gropius and Marcel Breuer. These influences are evident in much of their work.

5. Teachers and role models: Charles Eames taught at Black Mountain College and later at the Institute of Design in Chicago. He influenced many aspiring designers and architects, including some who became famous in their own rights.

6. Eames Office: The Eames Office became a kind of creative laboratory in which Charles and Ray Eames and their staff worked on a variety of projects in the fields of design, architecture, film and multimedia.

Timeless and still in production today, the designs of Charles and Ray Eames can be seen in many design museums around the world. They exemplify the fusion of art and technology that shaped 20th century design, and their influence extends far beyond their time.