Charles Eames

Date of Birth: June 17, 1907

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: August 21, 1978

Biography

Charles Eames was an iconic American designer born on June 17, 1907, in St. Louis, Missouri. Renowned for his innovative work in furniture design, architecture, and industrial design, Eames left an indelible mark on 20th-century design. He studied architecture at Washington University in St. Louis but left after two years due to differences in design philosophy with the faculty. In 1941, he married Ray Kaiser, who would become his lifelong partner in both work and life. The couple moved to California, where they set up the Eames Office and began a prolific career in design. Together, they worked on a range of projects, from the groundbreaking Eames Lounge Chair to the influential Case Study House No. 8, which they designed as their own home. Charles Eames passed away on August 21, 1978, but his legacy continues to influence designers and architects around the world. His work is celebrated for its blend of functionality, simplicity, and beauty, embodying the spirit of modernism.

5 Interesting Facts about Charles Eames

1. Charles Eames received a fellowship to study at the Cranbrook Academy of Art, where he later became the head of the industrial design department.

2. The Eames Lounge Chair, introduced in 1956, is one of the most famous and enduring designs in furniture history.

3. Charles and Ray Eames were also filmmakers, creating over 125 short films, including the well-known “Powers of Ten.”

4. The Eames Office was involved in designing the IBM Pavilion for the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair.

5. Charles Eames and his wife Ray were awarded the Royal Gold Medal by the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1979.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Charles Eames

1. “The details are not the details. They make the design.”

2. “Design is a plan for arranging elements in such a way as best to accomplish a particular purpose.”

3. “Recognizing the need is the primary condition for design.”

4. “Take your pleasure seriously.”

5. “Eventually everything connects – people, ideas, objects. The quality of the connections is the key to quality per se.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Charles Eames’ net worth was estimated to be around $5 million, a significant sum for a designer of his era.

Children

Charles Eames had one daughter, Lucia Eames, from his first marriage to Catherine Woermann. Lucia followed in her father’s footsteps and became a designer and artist in her own right.