The use of new materials, such as steel in its many forms; moulded plywood, such as that used by Charles and Ray Eames; and of course plastics, were formative in the creation of these new designs. They would have been considered pioneering, even shocking in contrast to what came before. This interest in new and innovative materials and methods - produced a certain blending of the disciplines of technology and art. And this became a working philosophy among the members of the Deutscher Werkbund. The Werkbund was a government sponsored organization to promote German art and design around the world. Many of those involved with it including Mies van Der Rohe, Lilly Reich and others, were later involved in the Bauhaus School, and so it is not surprising perhaps that the Bauhaus School took on the mantle of this philosophy. They evolved a particular interest in using these new materials in such a way that they might be mass produced and therefore make good design more accessible to the masses.
Moulded Plywood
Plywood boards are made of 3 or more thin layers or veneers of wood which are glued together, the grain of each layer being set at right angles to that of the next in order to give the material greater strength. Light in weight and capable of being bent into elegant, curvilinear forms it has been in use in furniture making since the eighteenth century. Because it was so cheap, durable and easily accessible it became an important medium for experimentation by modernist designers from the 1920's onwards. Perhaps the best know example of molded plywood is this molded plywood chair designed by Charles Eames.
Steel & Wire
Scarcity of timber for the depleting forests was one of the main alternate materials were experimented with in modern furniture design. Stainless Steel and other metals were easy to finish. The advantages of these materials are that they do not require additional painting and they are more durable than solid wood.
The Bertoia chairs are examples where metal has been used as material for the chairs. Harry Bertoia, originally a designer of hand made jewelry, designed of these chairs. These fabulous contoured chairs were made with welded steel chrome plated for a gorgeous look.
Molded Plastic
Charles and Ray Eames adapted molding techniques developed during World War II to mass produce this classic design. Molded plastic continues to be widely used in contemporary furniture designs for public indoor seating, such as stackable chairs.
