DCW (Dining Chair Wood)

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DCW (Dining Chair Wood)

Designed by: Charles Eames (American, 1907–1978)
Manufactured by: Evans Products Company (Molded Plywood Division) (active 1943–1946)
Distributed by: Herman Miller Furniture Company (active 1923–present)

designed 1945–46, made 1946–47

Object Place: Venice, California, United States; Object Place: Grand Haven, Michigan

Medium/Technique Plywood with walnut veneer, rubber

Dimensions 73.34 x 48.89 x 52.07 cm (28 7/8 x 19 1/4 x 20 1/2 in.)

Credit Line Gift of Edward J. Womley

Accession Number1975.32

NOT ON VIEW

CollectionsAmericas

ClassificationsFurniture – Seating and beds

In the early 1940s, designers and newlyweds Charles and Ray Eames pioneered a production method to simultaneously bend plywood in more than one direction, using their homemade Kazam machine. With this innovation, which the artists named for its speed and efficiency-you put in a piece of wood and "Kazam!" It's bent!-they won a commission from the U.S. Navy to design plywood leg splints and stretchers for wounded sailors, featuring compound curves to support the body. They applied the same technology after the war in the body-conforming design of the DCW and DCM. This chair was exhibited in 1947 at the Museum of Modern Art, after which the Eameses gave it to their friend and fellow furniture designer Edward J. Wormley.

This text was adapted from Ward, et al., MFA Highlights: American Decorative Arts & Sculpture (Boston, 2006) available at www.mfashop.com/mfa-publications.html.

DescriptionBack and seat of molded plywood, shaped in compound curves. A heavier C-shaped piece of plywood connects back and seat to which U-shaped back legs are connected. Front legs are slightly longer and attached to underside of seat with rubber shock mounts.