Charles and Ray Eames gave shape to America's 20th century. From the 1940s to the late 1970s, the Los Angeles-based husband-and-wife team designed furniture, buildings, toys, films, graphics, exhibitions, and books that aimed to improve society -- not only functionally but culturally and intellectually as well. This comprehensive volume is published on the occasion of a major international traveling exhibition organized by the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., and the Vitra Design Museum, Well am Rhein, Germany, the holders of the two richest Eames collections in the world.
The Eameses' wholehearted belief that design could enhance people's lives remains their greatest lesson. Taking a fresh approach to their multifaceted careers, six generously illustrated essays examine the Eameses' projects in the contexts of science, corporate patronage, and politics as well as those of modern design, architecture, and art.
