Charles Ormond Eames, Jr (1907–1978) and Bernice Alexandra “Ray” (née Kaiser) Eames (1912–1988) were American designers, who worked in and made major contributions to modern architecture and furniture. They also worked in the fields of industrial and graphic design, fine art and film.
In the 1950s, the Eameses continued their work in architecture and modern furniture design. As with their earlier molded plywood work, the Eameses pioneered technologies, such as the fiberglass and plastic resin chairs and the wire mesh chairs designed forHerman Miller. From the beginning, the Eames furniture has usually been listed as by Charles Eames. In the 1948 and 1952Herman Miller bound catalogs, only Charles’ name is listed, but it has become clear that Ray was deeply involved and should be considered an equal partner.[citation needed] The Eames fabrics (many are currently available from Maharam) were mostly designed by Ray, as were the Time Life Stools.[by whom?] In 1979, the Royal Institute of British Architects awarded Charles and Ray with theRoyal Gold Medal. At the time of Charles’ death they were working on what became their last production, the Eames Sofa, which went into production in 1984.