In 1977, favorite California's midcentury modern pioneers Charles and Ray Eames exhibited a selection of their bent plywood pieces at Washington University, including the leg splints they produced as part of the war effort in 1942, shown here hanging on the wall. Charles also studied architecture at Washington University, briefly, on scholarship for two years.

Credit: Charles Eames Archive, University Archives, Department of Special Collections, Washington University Libraries  Photo 4 of 4 in How a WWII Leg Splint Inspired the Eames Molded Plywood Lounge Chair

How a WWII Leg Splint Inspired the Eames Molded Plywood Lounge Chair

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Charles and Ray Eames at a 1977 Washington University exhibition of a selection of their bent plywood pieces, including the leg splints they produced as part of the war effort in 1942.