The Eames Children’s Chair is not only a pioneering achievement in plywood furniture but also a perfect embodiment of modern design principles.
A Revolutionary Design from the 1940s
Designed in the 1940s, this chair was the first plywood chair ever to be mass-produced, reflecting the Eames duo’s deep understanding of materials, craftsmanship, and functionality.
In 1940, Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen encountered issues with plywood cracking while developing their Organic Chair. The Eames duo discovered that narrowing the backrest and introducing cutouts at the top and sides helped reduce stress on the plywood, increasing the chair’s durability.
During World War II, the Eameses refined their plywood molding techniques while developing leg splints and stretchers for the U.S. military. Post-war, they applied these techniques to consumer furniture, leading to the creation of a series of plywood designs, including the Children’s Chair.
With molded plywood technology, multiple thin layers of wood veneer were heat-pressed into shape, making the chair both lightweight and sturdy, while maintaining ergonomic comfort.
The Children’s Chair was the first plywood chair to be mass-produced, thanks to its smaller size and simpler curves.
The seat and legs were crafted from a single piece of bent beech plywood.
The backrest, shaped like a hammer, was attached using three screws.
The heart-shaped cutout in the backrest, inspired by Swedish folk art, served both aesthetic and functional purposes—children could slip their fingers through it to easily carry the chair around the house.
This thoughtful design allowed even a small child to move the chair from the playroom to the bathroom, stand on it, and reach the sink.
Although the Children’s Chair was patented, the Eameses lacked retail experience, and after selling 5,000 units, production ceased.
In 2009, Vitra partnered with the Eames Office to reissue a limited edition of 2,000 numbered pieces, making it a highly collectible item. Today, the original 5,000 chairs frequently sell for thousands of pounds at auctions.
The Eames Children’s Chair remains an enduring classic, showcasing the timeless fusion of form, function, and innovation that defines the legacy of Charles and Ray Eames.
Sourced from Our China Media Partner 77° Global Furnishings Media.
