Hi!
I'm new in Eames design and have some doubts I would like to know.
-When was the DSX designed and when started to be manufactured?
-When was the X base introduced? Until when?
- When was the H base introduced? Until when?
-Why there are black bases and metal bases? The difference is because of the year of production or just because?
Thanks to anyone who can help me to learn a little bit more. There's sooooooooo much information about Eames DSX on internet that is difficult for me to find some clear detials.
Not that one
Hi Mark!
The H base is not that one you have shown on the picture from the book. Is that one you can see when google "H Base Eames Chair":
http://www.google.es/search?q=h+base+eames&client=safari&rls=en&source=l...
I have really search on "The Story of Eames Furniture" about the H Base and there's no clear information on it. Here it's said that the chairs were launched with different bases (X base, Eiffel base, rocker, wire cage, etc). But doesn't say when appeared each one or if were launched all of them at the same time.
Here it's also said: "The bases were sold in a bright-plated or a dull black finish". But no explains if it was at the same time or first one, and then the other.
And about Zenith shells?
Thanks woodywood and DavidR. It seems to be a little bit clearer thanks to your info. And what I've assumed after the readings is that the bright-plated and the black bases were launched at the same time.
But the more I read, the more doubts appear.... Now I have a doubt about the shells. The Neuhart book says: "The fiberglass shell chairs were produced under the banner of Zenith Plastics until 1955, and on the same premises by Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing (3M) from 1955 (when Zenith was bought by 3M) until 1961. Fingerhut stayed with 3M until 1961 and continued to manage fiberglass shell production. Brucker and Greenberg stayed on also until their financial interests were eventually bought out. (...) They were associated with each other in their own plastics fabrication company since they pooled their resources in December 1966 and purchased Century Plastics from Tool Research and Engineering. Herman Miller continued to be one of Century's most important clients".
So, if I'm not wrong... it means that shell manufacturing timeline is?:
- Until 1955 - Zenith Plastics
- From 1955 to 1961 - 3M
I have ever heard about 3M. Do someone have some info?
And when did really start the Century Plastics manufacturing? Until when?
earliest SOLID low H base
I found a black, SOLID version of the LOW H base (with the metal swivel glides on it) and ran it by a widely respected west coast authority. Without hesitation, he said "1954" (due to the fact that the base was solid, and the glides)
The shell that was on this base had the thinnest fiberglass i have ever seen. It had the earliest smaller version of the patent number paper label, and was embossed only with small Summit Plastics double triangles, and no other markings.
(I am guessing that the shell proved to be TOO thin, and they probably moved to thicken them up again very soon after that.)
I also found a more commonly seen standard dining height version of the H base with the same metal swivel glides, also in black, that is lighter in weight than the solid low H base.
This one was found paired with a Seafoam Green shell that had the same small small patent number paper label and same markings (Summit Plastics small double triangles embossed w no other markings)
The sea foam green shell was much more typical in thickness.
I am hoping the glides or the shell markings can help somebody nail down dates for you.
lots of overlaps
I agree with woody and david on the 55-57 general time frame though.
It is important to remember that there are lots of overlaps of parts pairings around this time.
In my above post, the chairs had small mounts. But there are lots of small mount chairs that came on X bases rather than H bases.
And I have seen at least one zenith 3-dot (3rd generation Zenith) shell that still had the "earlier" large shock mounts, rather than small mounts. It looked exactly like a Venice chair, and came on an X base, except it had the 3 dot marking
Anyway, just saying that many odd pairings of parts do exist around this time frame.
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