Classic fibreglass chairs
In 1948, Charles and Ray Eames, the designers of the Fiberglass Chair, submitted a chair with an ergonomically shaped seat shell and a concept for different bases to the Museum of Modern Art's "International Competition for Low-Cost Furniture Design". The couple won second prize, but initially presented their designs in metal.
To make the chair suitable for series production, however, they needed an alternative material. In their research, they came across fibreglass-reinforced polyester resin, which was ideal for industrial processing thanks to its mouldable yet strong properties. Until then used only for military purposes, the material found its way into the furniture industry and proved the perfect solution for Charles and Ray Eames. The surface texture also made the seat shells special: the irregularities and clearly visible fibres gave the material a natural look and a distinctive feel.
In addition to the comfortable seat shells, the two designers developed a series of expressive bases that could be freely combined with the chair. Alongside the classic metal Eiffel Tower base and the wooden base reinforced with metal struts, classic four-legged and rocking chair versions were later produced. This choice of configurations still makes the chairs special today.
Charles and Ray Eames also placed great importance on the colours of the Fiberglass Chairs, which was initially a challenge. Until then, fibreglass had only been available uncoloured, so the two had to look for a suitable dyeing method. They spent a lot of time at the factory and worked with numerous prototypes to create a colour palette that perfectly emphasises the chair's organic shape. The first Fiberglass Chair colours included Greige, Elephant Hide Grey and Parchment. Later, the palette was expanded with Sea Foam Green, Navy Blue, yellow, dark and light ochre and red – colours that are available again today.
Today, the Vitra Eames Fiberglass Chair is a true classic that has lost none of its original charm. As an alternative to fibreglass, the chair is also available with a polypropylene seat shell under the name Eames Plastic Chair.
