Herman Miller Reintroduces the Dowel-Leg Base to the Eames Molded Plastic Chairs

Herman Miller is returning the dowel-leg base to the popular Eames molded plastic chairs.

Reengineered for improved strength, the maple dowel legs stay true to the original design by Charles and Ray Eames and also provide a softer aesthetic base option.

"We first reintroduced the Eames molded plastic chairs in 2001, and then dramatically increased the offering in 2005 as part of our 'Get Real' campaign for authenticity.

We're reinforcing our commitment to this campaign by offering the dowel base," says product manager Gregg Vander Kooi.

The Eameses designed their molded plastic armchair in 1948 for entry in the International Competition for Low-Cost Furniture organized by the New York Museum of Modern Art.

Herman Miller introduced the armchair, along with a companion side chair in 1950, and they soon found broad acceptance in residential and institutional markets--becoming the first mass-produced plastic chairs.

The dowel-leg base joins four other original base options, including the wire base (also known as the Eiffel Tower base), four-legged base, stacking base, and rocker.

It is available both with side chair or armchair shells, and the current set of shell colors, including black, red, white, light blue, and lime green.