EC127 Upholstered Chair

When the Eameses transformed their molded plywood dining chair, or DCM, into a new design that incorporated upholstered pads, they radically expanded the possibilities for incorporating color and pattern through textiles. When the chair was originally released in 1970, it was available in three textiles designed by Alexander Girard: Nilo, Hopsak, and vinyl. By 1978 the offer had expanded to include COM (customers own material). In this example, Alexander Girard’s 1965 design Checker was specified with parchment shells, and a neutral vinyl edge. Girard, who was an avid collector of folk art from across the world, found inspiration for Checker in traditional motifs found across cultures—including those of his native Italy, the Middle East, and Latin America. Century Plastics Industries in Compton, California fabricated the fiberglass parts.