The abbreviation Eames DAT Chair was given for the Desk (D) Height, Arm (A) Chair on Tilt (T) Base. The chair was brought to the market in the ‘second wave’ of bases in late 1952/1953 and lasted over two generations of the base until the end of the fiberglass chair series in 1993.
Along with the PAC, the DAT represented Herman Miller’s first fiberglass venture into the ‘desk chair’ market, something in which the company would excel in by the late 1970’s and 1980’s.
The first generation of the Eames DAT Arm Chair encompassed a unique lateral cross base not used on any other chair, finished with aluminium foot guards. This beautiful base was visually very different from the rest of the plastic chair series and due to the modest numbers sold, is quite a rarity to find. The chair was the first to have castors and the tilting of the base was controlled manually by way of a rubber torque mechanism. The seat height was also adjustable via a manually controlled central thread on the column.
Given that the DAT had everything one could want in an office/desk chair, it wouldn’t be wrong to class it as a precursor to the hugely popular and bestselling Alu Group office chairs which are still made to this day.
1957 saw a great shake up in Eames designs with the introduction of the pedestal ‘contract’ bases of the aluminium group chairs. These bases were hugely versatile given that they could take either a castor or a glide and gave perfect stability. It was no surprise therefore to see the base replace the originals of the DAT and PAC and become the stable ‘contract’ base type for desk and office chairs. Post 1957 saw the version DAT-NC which simply meant a DAT with no castors, using the contract base.
As the Eames Tilting Arm Chair spanned the generations it can be found in all shell colors and those with Alexander Girard designed upholstery from Herman Miller.
| Height | 34” | 86.36 cm |
| Width | 24.875” | 63.18 cm |
| Depth | 23” | 58.42 cm |
| Seat Height | 16.5 - 20” | 41.91 – 50.80 cm |
| Top | Molded Plastic Zenaloy (fiberglass re-enforced plastic) |
| Base | Cast Alu Cross Base + Footgaurds (pre 57), Cast alu pedestal base (post 57) |
| Feet | Castors (pre 57). Castors or glides (post 57) |
1st generation DAT base with polished aluminum foot-guards
First Generation
The first generation DAT base used a lateral cross type not seen on any other chair
The base used bright polished Alu foot guards to dress the base legs, the result is a very unique look
The Tilt mechanism was adjusted using the cast knob on the underside and tightened to the desired angle.
Base was in use from 1953 until 1957
See the shell generations here
Second generation DAT base differs from PAC with tilt mechanism shown
Second Generation
The second adaptation of the DAT base came with the introduction of the contract base in 1957
Like the PAC and PSC, all work chairs were moved onto the new base
The contract base was able to provide uniformity and be on either castors or glides
This base came in 1957 and was used through the years until the fiberglass chairs were ended in 1993
See the shell generations here
Second generation DAT upholstered (image courtesy of Circa Modern)
1959 Vintage Herman Miller advert with DAT in the center
Close up of Eames Arm DAT tilting mechanism
1960's Herman Miller production shot of DAT with workdesk
1955 Herman Miller brochure extract for the 1st edition Eames DAT
1964 Herman Miller brochure extract for the Eames DAT
1970's Herman Miller brochure page for the DAT - note new classification EC114
White 1st generation DAT parchment arm chair (image courtesy of D Rose Mod, inc)