Charles and Ray Eames’ Shell Chair was revolutionary for its groundbreaking use of technology. In 1950, it was the only mass-produced plastic chair in the world, and its single-process fiberglass form was unprecedented in its cost and material efficiency, so unfamiliar as a furniture material that early press referred to it as "airplane plastic." Unfortunately, the fiberglass was found to emit toxic chemicals and was discontinued in the 1980s. Its softer matte polypropylene replacement, launched by Herman Miller in 2004, proved popular, but left die-hard fans missing the original’s semi-gloss finish and the particle board-like, fibrous surface. Finally, Herman Miller has been able to restore the qualities of that early fiberglass chair without the environmental hazard. A more sustainable “dry bind” material typically used in automotive production does away with the chemically-laden “wet glue” that formerly bound the strands of fiberglass together. These new versions, available in nine archival colors, are recyclable and Herman Miller created a take back program in which the shell material can be ground and reused for road construction. Now a classic icon can live on, continuing its legacy of material innovation. {% blog_media_item ...
Charles and Ray Eames’ Shell Chair was revolutionary for its groundbreaking use of technology. In 1950, it was the only mass-produced plastic chair in the world, and its single-process fiberglass form was unprecedented in its cost and material efficiency, so unfamiliar as a furniture material that early press referred to it as "airplane plastic." Unfortunately, the fiberglass was found to emit toxic chemicals and was discontinued in the 1980s. Its softer matte polypropylene replacement, launched by Herman Miller in 2004, proved popular, but left die-hard fans missing the original’s semi-gloss finish and the particle board-like, fibrous surface. Finally, Herman Miller has been able to restore the qualities of that early fiberglass chair without the environmental hazard. A more sustainable “dry bind” material typically used in automotive production does away with the chemically-laden “wet glue” that formerly bound the strands of fiberglass together. These new versions, available in nine archival colors, are recyclable and Herman Miller created a take back program in which the shell material can be ground and reused for road construction. Now a classic icon can live on, continuing its legacy of material innovation. {% blog_media_item ...