Charles - Ray Eames

Charles Eames was born in 1907 in St. Louis (Missouri). He attends local schools and develops interest in engineering and architecture. After studying two years at Washington University in St. Louis from 1924 to 1926, he began working at an architecture firm.

In 1930, Charles opens his architecture studio. He receives a scholarship from the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills in the state of Michigan, where he becomes head of the design department.

There he meets Ray Kaiser, a designer whom he marries in 1942 and with whom he undertakes a human and professional partnership throughout his life.

In 1940, together with the architect and designer Eero Saarinen realized creation, which is a modern and innovative chair realized through the modeling of plywood, a competition organized by MOMA (Museum of Modern Art).

The product won two awards and attracts the attention of the manufacturer of furnishing items from Herman Miller.

The result is a partnership with the company with whom Charles and Ray Eames created a wide range of furniture designed to be mass produced.

Among the most successful creations for the Herman Miller company are:
Eames Aluminum Group & Soft Pad Chairs
Eames Anniversary Table
Eames Chaise
Eames Desk Unit
Eames Elliptical Table
Eames Executive Chairs
Eames Hang-It-All
Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman
Eames Molded Plywood Chairs,
Eames Molded Plywood, Coffee Table
Eames Molded Plywood Folding Screen,
Eames Sofa
Eames Storage Units
Eames Tables
Eames Tandem Sling Seating
Eames, Walnut Stools
Eames Wire-Base Side Chairs
Eames Wire-Base Table
LaFonda Base Table.

Among the many prizes and awards won by Charles and Ray Eames are:
- Organic Furniture Competition, Museum of Modern Art, 1940
- Emmy Award, (Graphics), "The Fabulous Fifties," 1960
- Kaufmann International Design Award, 1961
- 25 Year American Institute of Architects Award, 1977
- Eliot Norton Chair of Poetry, Harvard, 1971
- Queen's Gold Medal for Architecture, 1979
- Named "Most Influential Designer of the 20th Century," WORLDESIGN '85, Industrial - Designers Society of America, 1985
- The Work of Charles and Ray Eames: A Legacy of Invention, Traveling Exhibition, Library of Congress, 1999.

VIDEO:
Introduction to the Work of Charles and Ray Eames
America Meets Charles and Ray Eames
How the Eames LCW (Lounge Chair Wood) is made
House - Charles & Ray Eames
​A Journey into The World of Charles and Ray Eames