Eames’ Plywood Splint

Yesterday Core 77, a great online design magazine, posted a piece on the Eames‘ WWII-era plywood leg splints. I wonder if there are any contemporary designers working in this area?

When I was in Michigan going through the Herman Miller archives I came across a few original splints. They look like beautiful pieces of sculpture. The splints were designed for the Navy out of moulded plywood. It was the first time that technique had been used by the Eames’, and as any Eames fan knows, it wasn’t the last! Think of those signature molded plywood chairs.

Bill Robinson, who writes about art and design and has written for Herman Miller for over 13 years, received a splint as a wedding present 15 years ago – it hangs proudly on the wall above his couch. A testament to good design. ( You can buy a splint from the Eames Office for $650.)