I find it gratifying see how much professionalism each of them took in the part of the process they were responsible for. I mean they could have taken the view of someone that only saw themselves as a factory worker but no, each individual took the care and time to make something that was always meant to be a production product worth it's retail and architectural design value.
I supported this chair production for a year in the 1978's as an industrial engineer, and I still own one. Love the chair but I've had to replace two of the shock mounts that died of old age.
I write this for the benefit of prospective, future owners of this fine chair. The basic Black Leather/Walnut Veneer chair now retails at about $4,859.00. The style never changes, and properly maintained, the chair (including the leather covering) will last a very long time. At time 3:20 in this film, a gentleman tests the chair after assembly for squeaks and loose screws by heavily rocking the chair back and forth. Forgive me for shouting: NEVER, EVER DO THIS AGAIN TO THE CHAIR. An Eames 670 Lounge chair, although it has a flexible back, is a swivel chair, NOT A ROCKING CHAIR. The company and authorized dealers will tell you this fact. If you continue to heavily rock the chair like this man did, you will bend the two vertical back supports, you will crack the rubberized shock mounts, and worst of all, you will put cracks in the plywood shells. The repair bill will be enormous. I knew someone who damaged his chair years ago, and could not afford to get it fixed (with genuine Herman Miller parts, of course). Just some advice for future new owners of this masterpiece of design and manufacture. Thank you!
Like a tire or a car, you have to test the integrity of the assembled chair and prove that it can withstand years of use. If it cannot handle a few shoves in the factory, it will fail down the line on a customer. BTW, the curved METAL supports would NEVER bend except under very extreme conditions... certainly not someone rocking the chair! ~Owner of a chair for 50 years.~
just ordered this chair.... after a life long dream of owning one. It is to be my chair to listen to my other life's dream... my McIntosh based Hi-Fi system.
i bought a knock off one, which is nice and comfortable, but i just ordered a used 50th anniversary one. so we will see in a couple weeks how the real one compares
@@anthonysmithjr.7388 my cousin has a decent knock off, $1100 or so ... When we compare it to mine, it's extremely easy to see and more importantly feel the quality difference... Post back here and share your observations
@@billfrigo7602 the knock off is stiffer and has less rocker than the real one. the cushions are a little harder too. the real one's leather feels better. however the size and angle you sit in the chair are exactly the same. for the price the knockoff is really good. the real chair is only about 15% better but its 5 times the cost
@@anthonysmithjr.7388 thanks for the info man! Which replica do you own? I reached out to eMod about the Tall version and they are jacking their prices up to $1600. The authentic you can get as low as $4,500 through a local dealer (I received quotes from both companies). If the replica was back around $800 - this would be much more interesting.
Thanks for this excellent video! Although its very low resolution and pixelated in places, it's the most informative piece I've ever seen on the making and back story of this piece of American history. Is there a higher quality copy of this video available online or for purchase?
Please, I need plywood part of back for my grandmother. My grandfather who passed away years ago had the chair. That's why it's very valuable to her and not to allow anyone to set on it but a visitor on Thanksgiving set on it without asking and broke it. I am trying to fix it for her to make her happy again
www.modernconscience.com/store/page209.html I found this website while researching the Eames chair. I hope it can help you find the part you need! =) Happy Thanksgiving!
