The Aluminum Group chairs began as a challenge between legendary designers. Eero Saarinen and Alexander Girard were designing the home of industrialist J. Irwin Miller, founder of Cummins Engines, in Columbus, Indiana, USA. They sought a high-quality seat for outdoor use and asked Charles and Ray Eames to develop one. The Eameses accepted.
Known for their honest use of materials, the Eameses built their chairs with cast aluminum and a seat structure that supports stretched synthetic mesh. The suspension from the backrest to the seat was a major technical achievement and represented a shift from the concept of a chair as a solid structure
We began manufacturing the Aluminum Group chairs in 1958. In 1969, the Eameses expanded the original design by adding soft, individually upholstered cushions. They called them Soft Pad chairs. The chairs’ clean lines, innovative use of materials, and suspension comfort have kept them among the most popular seating choices for offices and homes for over 50 years.
“Charles and Ray Eames”
