Rooted in a 1940s prototype by Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen, this chair’s development was delayed by World War II. During the war, Charles and Ray Eames further developed plywood molding techniques to make splints, stretchers, and glider shells for the U.S. Navy. After the war, they refocused this technology on furnishings, starting with this wonderful chair, a design Time magazine recently called the Best of the 20th Century. Sculpting the chair’s seat and back to fit the contours of the human body, they achieved elegance and comfort. Five-ply seat and back construction. Eight-ply legs and lumbar support for added strength. Maple inner plies.