This year marks the 75th anniversary of the iconic Eames Shell Chair. To celebrate this momentous achievement, we look back at the long history this iconic Charles and Ray Eames design.
In 1950, Herman Miller introduced an innovative new chair with a unique shape: a shell. The world had never seen anything like it.
Designed by Charles and Ray Eames, the Eames Shell Chair was the first to be made with fiberglass technology. This year, we’re celebrating 75 years of the Eames Shell Chair and its almost infinite design permutations (over 2 million).
It was the world’s first mass-produced plastic chair. Introduced as two biomorphic shell shapes – the side chair and the armchair – today the Eames Shell Chair is available in an endless number of colours, frame designs, and materials, including recycled plastic, wood, steel, fiberglass, and upholstery and seat pad options. Designed to be universal and adaptable, the chair was irresistible to museums, schools, and individuals. And while it’s often imitated, it’s never been equalled.
To celebrate 75 Years of the Eames Shell Chair, Designcraft are offering 25% off the entire Eames Shell range*
Plus order any Eames Shell and receive 20% off an Eames Segmented Base Table OR Eames Aluminium Group Chair
NOW IS YOUR CHANCE TO OWN AN EAMES ICON!
EXPLORE THE EAMES SHELL
The Eames Shell Timeline: Mid-Century to Today
Over the course of 75 years, it’s been iterated, innovated, adapted, adjusted, tailored, and transformed – but it’s always stayed true to its iconic form. Take a look at the history of the Shell.
1940s
The history of the Eames Shell begins in 1940, when Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen produced a revolutionary single shell of moulded plywood. Eight years later, Charles and Ray Eames replicated the shape in metal, but determined this material would be too costly to produce at scale.
1950
After a series of iterations, the Eames found fiberglass technology to be a worthy contender because it was strong, lightweight, durable, and low-cost. In 1950, the Eames Shell Armchair is introduced to the masses, offered in six colours and five bases (including “Eiffel” wire, dowel rod, and metal rod).
1951
A wire version of the side shell is released, the DKR (Dining Height K-Wire Chair).
1955
1955 was a pivotal year in the Shell’s evolution as it saw the introduction of a stacking, interlocking base. This made the design especially practical for institutional contexts, and the chair sold in the tens of thousands to school, hospitals, government offices, and commercial clients.
1993 - 2001
By 1993, the original fiberglass production technique was proving unsustainable and the Shell was phased out of production. Eight years later in 2001, the Shell returned to production in polypropylene, a post-industrial recycled plastic, introducing a new generation to the classic shell design.
2013 - 2014
In 2013, in close collaboration with the Eames Office, Herman Miller was able to introduce an expression of one of the Eames’ lifelong dreams: a single-piece moulded wood shell.
In 2014, Herman Miller reintroduces the Shell in fiberglass after developing a new proprietary process that makes production more sustainable and safer for workers.
2022
The Shell is reissued in 100% post-industrial plastic with a new lineup of colours.
2025
The Eames Shell Chair turns 75, available now in more than 2 million unique variations.
To celebrate 75 Years of the Eames Shell Chair, Designcraft are offering 25% off the entire Eames Shell range*
Plus order any Eames Shell and receive 20% off an Eames Segmented Base Table OR Eames Aluminium Group Chair
NOW IS YOUR CHANCE TO OWN AN EAMES ICON!
*Terms & conditions of Eames Shell Chair promotion:
- 25% off Eames Shell chairs and stools;
- Receive 20% off Eames Aluminium Group Chairs or Eames Segmented Tables with any Eames Shell order;
- Applicable to selected finishes and models, please contact the showroom for more information;
- Applicable to forward orders only (excludes sale items); and
- Valid until 15 December 2025
EXPLORE THE EAMES SHELL
