Leg Splint

Charles Eames, Ray Eames, Leg Splint, 1942, plywood, 41 34 × 7 78 × 4 in. (106.0 × 20.0 × 10.2 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Harish K. Patel in memory of his father Khodabhai C. Patel, 2001.19

Artwork Details

Title
Leg Splint
Date
1942
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
41 34 × 7 78 × 4 in. (106.0 × 20.0 × 10.2 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Harish K. Patel in memory of his father Khodabhai C. Patel
Mediums
Mediums Description
plywood
Classifications
Object Number
2001.19

Artwork Description

Husband-and-wife team Charles and Ray Eames joined the war effort during World War II by entering into a contract with the U.S. Navy to develop a lightweight molded plywood leg splint. The object they designed, celebrated as much for its elegant biomorphic form as its utility, was true to their design philosophy of "making the best for the most for the least." Through their Navy contract, they had valuable access to military technology and manufacturing processes and gained insights that would serve as the basis for many of their later designs, especially their trademark chairs.

Connections: Contemporary Craft at the Renwick Gallery, 2019

Works by this artist (3 items)

Erik Demaine, Martin Demaine, Green Balance, 2011, Mi-Teintes watercolor paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artists in honor of the fortieth anniversary of the Renwick Gallery, 2011.54.3, © 2011, Erik and Martin Demaine
Green Balance
Date2011
Mi-Teintes watercolor paper
Not on view
Erik Demaine, Martin Demaine, Natural Cycles, 2009, Zanders Elefantenhaut paper (elephant hide paper), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artists in honor of the fortieth anniversary of the Renwick Gallery, 2011.54.1, © 2009, Erik and Martin Demaine
Natural Cycles
Date2009
Zanders Elefantenhaut paper (elephant hide paper)
Not on view
Erik Demaine, Martin Demaine, Hugging Circles, 2011, Zanders Elefantenhaut paper (elephant hide paper), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artists in honor of the fortieth anniversary of the Renwick Gallery, 2011.54.2, © 2011, Erik and Martin Demaine
Hugging Circles
Date2011
Zanders Elefantenhaut paper (elephant hide paper)
Not on view

Exhibitions

Media - 2016.11 - SAAM-2016.11_6 - 124929
Connections: Contemporary Craft at the Renwick Gallery
November 13, 2015March 6, 2022
Connections is the Renwick Gallery’s dynamic ongoing permanent collection presentation, featuring more than 80 objects celebrating craft as a discipline and an approach to living differently in the modern world.

More Artworks from the Collection

Katherine Lewis, Rope Coil, 2011, willow, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Martha G. Ware and Steven R. Cole, 2011.47.39
Rope Coil
Date2011
willow
Not on view
Vicki Lee Soboleff, Yellow Cedar Face Mask, 2020, yellow cedar and sinew, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Kenneth R. Trapp Acquisition Fund, 2020.29.2, © June 1, 2020, Vicki Soboleff
Yellow Cedar Face Mask
Date2020
yellow cedar and sinew
Not on view
Ruth H. Matthews, Table Basket, #458-321, ca. 2002, weeping willow, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Martha G. Ware and Steven R. Cole, 2011.47.43, © 2002, Ruth H. Matthews
Table Basket, #458 – 321
Dateca. 2002
weeping willow
Not on view
Anne Scarpa McCauley, Bowl, 2004, honeysuckle vine, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Martha G. Ware and Steven R. Cole, 2011.47.44
Bowl
Date2004
honeysuckle vine
Not on view