On 2nd thought Vitra  

Modernica....
I love the Bubble Lamps as well, and the quality is definitely there (one of the only things Modernica makes quality)....Anyway, during my time at DWR, I made friends with Mike Arents of Herman Miller(now gone) and we would have lunch when he would come down to Chicago to visit. Anyway, we had a talk about Modernica - their enemies in many ways. I think a lot of people know this back story, but I'll tell it again anyway. Modernica likes to say that their ESU's are the same quality as HM...they also like to toot their horn that they made the ESU's at one time. This is a true statement, Herman Miller contracted them out like they contract other factories...however their relationship deteriorated when Modernica would not keep up their quality control and did not seem to show any interest in improving. There was so much differentiation in the quality of their pieces, Herman Miller pulled the contract away from them.
It was during this time (when Modernica was making the ESU's that HM sold Modernica the old factory equipment for the fiberglass shells. (the brothers that own Modernica buy up all sorts of machinery and various objects for their stage/studio prop rental business) As many other people have mentioned before, Modernica likes to say that the chairs are made on the same molds as the original. I have heard varying stories on whether the Modernica molds are the old HM's or if they are new...regardless I know that at one point you could order a light grey shell chair from Modernica sporting the HM embossed logo...so they had to have some of the original molds. ok...so now onto Bubble lights....
Herman Miller in their HM history book says they themselves relaunched the Bubble lamps in 1998. Does anyone own a HM Bubble Lamp? I've never seen one. Anyway, Mike told me that the original lamps were never actually produced at the Howard Miller facility - they were contracted out as well by another Michigan company... Howard Miller ceased production on the bubble lamps because of loss of interest/demand. I believe the company that was contracted from Howard Miller still exists today. Anyway, Mike said that this company taught Modernica the process of making the lights, and sold them their equipment since they were not making them anymore. This is how Modernica got a hold of the "license". Modernica does not have the "license" to the Bubbles - but since they are the only ones that have the equipment and are making them - they promote themselves as the "licensed" manufacturer. The only way they could be "licensed" is through Jacqueline Nelson (the same way Vitra has done it). The Nelson estate has no intention of going after Modernica though. However, I have heard that Vitra is going to launch the Bubbles in Europe. I'm curious if they will bring back the Diamond....
Anyway, hope this bit of info helps.

Very interesting thread
I'm quite certain that both Nelsoin and the Eames' would, if still alive, be understanding about the changes required by greener, more enviornmentally materials. I'm certain that Charles and Ray would have understood the (apprent) need to stop using fiberglass and they would've been excited to investigate the alternate plastic now being used by Vitra and Herman Miller for their plastic Eames chairs.
Nelson would've been horrified that the latex foam rubber used in all of his upholstered sofas and chairs have turned to hard rocks and he would've absolutely worked on replacing that horrible old material with something that looks as nice and lasts longer.
Most of these designers were not living in a time warp bubble and because they were visionaries, I'm sure that they would've moved with the times and updated their 'classics' to match the needs of the current market requirements.
That said, I think that both Nelson and the Eames would've been equally horrified by the Chinese knockoffs, as well as high prices Herman Miller is charging for their furniture designs.
I know for a fact that both Nelson and the Eames' gave up the use Rosewood during both of their lifetimes without complaining about it in print.
So it goes.....

While I'm not a fan of...
While I'm not a fan of Vitra's version of the classic Eames Lounge Chair & Ottoman (because of the base, as mentioned in another thread), I think their recent issue of a version with white-stained walnut and off-white leather is absolutely exquisite.
I saw it yesterday "in person" and it really has a completely different vibe from the classic black & rosewood, but just as nice.
So for me, this is a perfect example of a successful modification by the licensed manufacturer. I do wish they offered the same base as Herman Miller for the black & rosewood chair, though.