Eames Fiberglass Plastic Arm Chair Generations

It is fair to say that the Eames Fiberglass Arm Chairs are one of, if not the most, popular Eames design in existence. But not all of these chairs were made equally! It is easy to get confused sometimes with the sheer number of colors or bases or with ages. You may have heard or read enthusiasts or collectors speak about first generation, second generation and not know what any of it means! Generations are of course subjective in any case but by using such a system really does help to recognize, authenticate and age a chair reasonably accurately. From humble beginnings in the original Eames Office, to the first factory of Zenith Plastics, and to the last in Zeeland Michigan, the Fiberglass Arm Shells will always remain our favorites. In this article, we explore the many Eames Fiberglass Plastic Arm Chair Generations.

1. Checker Label 2. Rope Edge 3. Large Disc Mounts 4. Six Colors

1. Checker Label 2. Rope Edge 3. Large Disc Mounts 4. Six Colors

1st Generation (est 1950 - 1954)

First generation arm shell was produced at the Zenith Plastics factory in Gardena, California. They were available initially in 3 colors with 3 more being added after the first run. 

  • 4 Square Zenith Plastic 'Checkerboard' Label
  • Rope Edge (rope effect on the edge came from ropes used in the mold)
  • Large Shock Mounts (Large mounts used with center washers)
  • 6 Colors (Elephant Grey, Red Orange, Lemon Yellow, Greige, Parchment, Seafoam)

Sometimes referred to as Generation 1.5 are fiberglass arm chairs sporting the 'Half Checkerboard Label'. This label was generally found on early 1st generation ESU & EDU units but is occasionally found on early first generation rope edge arm shells as well. Given that the label was in use in the early life of the arm shells, there is little significance that can be attributed to it and it does not in fact signify any generation change. Most likely, this label was deployed in short term absence of stock of the usual full checkerboard label, especially as it had the exact same application method.

Label-Half-Board.jpg

1. Venice Label 2. Flat Edge 3. Large Disc Mounts 4. Six Colors

1. Venice Label 2. Flat Edge 3. Large Disc Mounts 4. Six Colors

2nd Generation (est 1954 - 1955)

2nd generation arms are made in two locations. Some are still made at the Zenith factory in Gardena, CA and manufacturing is also taking place at the Eames Office in Santa Monica which have red Venice Label.

  • Generation either has Red Venice Label or no label at all
  • Straight Edge (Rope edge is removed)
  • Large Shock Mounts (Large mounts used with center washers)
  • 6 Colors (Elephant Grey, Red Orange, Lemon Yellow, Greige, Parchment, Seafoam)

The first 6 Fiberglass Arm Chair colors ran for an entire decade from 1950 until 1960 and remain today as some of the popular colors ever to grace an Eames Chair. These first colors were chosen by Charles & Ray Eames personally, through much process, but few can argue the right balance was ultimately made.

First-6.jpg

1. 3 Dot Stamp 2. Flat Edge 3. Smaller Mounts 4. Six Colors

1. 3 Dot Stamp 2. Flat Edge 3. Smaller Mounts 4. Six Colors

3rd Generation (est 1955 - 1958)

3rd Gen arms see smaller shock mounts introduced. Mostly made by 3M in the Zenith factory they bought in 1955. (3 dots = 3M)

  • The third generation Arm shells have 3 raise dots (sometimes hard to see) some with backwards Z, some without.
  • Straight Edge
  • Smaller Diameter Shock Mounts with no center washer
  • 6 Colors (Elephant Grey, Red Orange, Lemon Yellow, Greige, Parchment, Seafoam)

Patent Labels were introduced from 1957 (first appearing on the 3 dot Arm Shells) and beyond, right up until fiberglass chairs were discontinued in 1993. Whereas at first glance they may appear to be nothing more than technical numbers, a little research and study can tell you every thing you need to know about ageing your shell.

Patent-Label2.jpg

1. HM Stamp 2. Flat Edge 3. Smaller Mounts 4. Many Colors

1. HM Stamp 2. Flat Edge 3. Smaller Mounts 4. Many Colors

4th Generation (est 1959 - 1993)

4th gen shells were made at multiple factories and with many differing shell colors, all with Herman Miller Embossed.

  • After a period of HM only Logo from 1959 the Herman Miller name always appears alongside varying factory logos (Summit, CMM, GATC, CPI)
  • Straight Edge
  • Smaller Diameter Shock Mounts with no center washer
  • Multiple Colors (From 1960 HM had many colors with as many as 26 at one time)

But what of the Eames Plastic Arm Chairs, available since 2001 we hear you say?... well we barely consider them to be an Eames Chair at all but it is only our opinion. Whereas on the one hand they match the original Eames Ethos as 'low cost furniture for the masses' it appears to apply more to the cost of making it rather than those buying. When you consider tops made from polypropylene are machine mass produced and cost around $5 in factories dotted around China, yet sold for hundreds of dollars one could ask; where is the quality? Also worth considering is their launch 13 years after Ray Eames' death (23 after Charles) it is certainly fair to say neither had any involvement in their being whatsoever, despite the insinuation that they did.

Plastic-arms.jpg

1. New Logo 2. Flat Edge 3. Double Mounts 4. Nine Colors

1. New Logo 2. Flat Edge 3. Double Mounts 4. Nine Colors

5th Generation (est 2013 - Present)

After a 24 year absence Eames Fiberglass Shells are back since 2013, made by HM in Zeeland, MI.

  • A new logo adorns the new fiberglass shells, impressed into the mold
  • Straight Edge
  • The new fiber shells have a new shock mount pattern, larger on the front, smaller on the rear
  • There were originally 9 colors with 3 removed and 2 new added in 2020.