Biggest Eames Flop  

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Well, rumor has it, that Charles made Ray wear an Eames splint to bed every night. Or maybe it was the other way around??
Best,
Aunt Mark

Oh Mark
Aunt Mark,
You're the best. I'm so glad you are back.

good thread chair love
I will have to think about this...
There is the first ultra low LAX lounge chairs that always seem to have rewelds to the base because the metal cracked so often. But that just made them refine and move forward to a better design. Even though the base cracked all the time, I do like the way those chairs looked on that base.
Or do you just mean ugly? The oddball high-backed version padded arm shell maybe?
Good thread.

Hmm...
Great question. I'll leave the bad design vs. ugly question open to interpretation. I'd be interested to learn if there a product that the Eames tried to make and didn't have much luck with it. Sort of like how the HM Management Group shell chairs never really took off.

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Though not their change and I'm not usually a purist the 5 star base on the aluminium group chairs is unfortunate.
Not a flop but not nice. Just had a thought about the shockmounts though, could the backs of the rubber have concentric rings cast into them and into the backrest have a matching cut. It would really increase the glue surface area and might be an improvement.

Well..
I once had an Eames aluminum group lounge chair with the taller back (and neck pillow), that had a 4 star base (which I agree looks better)...and it did tip over a few times whilst I was perched upon it reading romance novels. I gave it to a friend. Now I seem to tip over whilst perched on just about anything but a bar stool.
I'm going to hell,
Aunt Mark

The World of Franklin and...
The World of Franklin and Jefferson.....?

Kebab...
Hands down....

Okay, OGD.
That almost makes up for the "wire chair" thread.

oh yeah!
I had forgotten about that exhibit in which they failed miserably.

eiffel base
its a very nice construction, i love it! but the comfort for the legs isnt very well. its not possible to cross the legs under the seat. it hurts...
maybe i am the only one, or does someone else this problem?

lmao...
Tk...:)

heath
I agree about the 5 star aluminum group base being an unfortunate change, at least as far as looks go. I have both examples, and the four-point base is by far more pleasing to look at. (But I caved in and made a practical choice FOR ONCE!)
Not sure when they made the switch, but I think it must be because of the "tilt" feature that was added. The newer soft pad chairs have a very nice tilt feature, and after hearing about Mark's experience, I can see why the four point base would not be a good idea when tilting way back.
Too bad when form and function have to be traded for one another. Sigh...

eames ottoman 671
for a short time HM produced a swiveling ottoman for the lounge chair. i had one of this examples. its horrible and i had to put some glue on it to stop the swivel. i dont know why they did this.