Carved Spreader 4

A key conceptual feature of the Eames Aluminum Group is the pair of aluminum spreaders that hold the upholstery taut between two aluminum side members. These spreaders create the necessary tension for transforming fabric into a supportive seat and backrest. Dubbed “antlers” by the Eames Office staff thanks to their distinctive shape, one spreader is located midway up the chair’s back and doubles as a handle. The other is located underneath the seat and serves both to stretch the textile and to attach the body of the chair to its base. In the process of developing the Eames Aluminum Group, eight variations on the antler form were carved in wood before its final shape was determined. The hand-carved prototypes were made by Robert Staples, who worked at the Eames Office from 1957 to 1973. It is known as “iteration,” and has long been an important method used by Ray and Charles for determining the optimal details of a design.