Vitra Eames Plastic Chairs

The history of the Eames Plastic Chairs (EPC)  collection begins in the late 1940s when Charles & Ray Eames were commissioned by the U.S. Navy to create lightweight, moulded plywood leg splints during World War II. This project led to their experimentation with moulded plywood and fibreglass, which eventually evolved into their iconic chair designs.

In 1948, Charles & Ray Eames developed the Moulded Plywood Chair, which utilised their innovative technique of moulding plywood into complex shapes. This chair was a significant advancement in furniture design due to its combination of form and function. However, it was the subsequent development of the Moulded Fibreglass Chair that truly revolutionised the industry.

Vitra’s continued commitment to sustainability means that today, the EPC collection is made from a new recycled material. The material for the shells of the Eames Plastic Chairs RE comes from household waste, most of which is post-consumer packaging obtained through the “Yellow Bag” (Gelber Sack) waste collection programme in Germany.

You can find out more about the history of the Eames Shell Chairs, and the advances in Vitra's post-consumer plastic in the Utility Journal