Leg splint
Leg Splint
1941-1942 (designed)
1941-1942 (designed)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
During World War II, the U.S. Navy asked Charles and Ray Eames to create a lightweight, inexpensive leg splint. The resulting design is sculptural yet functional and could be mass produced. With access to military technology and manufacturing, the designers were able to develop the design to create their first mass-produced product. By 1945, 150,000 had been produced.
The shape of the splint serves two important functions: comfortable support and a stacking form to facilitate safe shipping. The holes in the splint relieve stress on the moulded plywood to prevent splitting and provide easy access to thread the bandages that secure the leg to the splint. The splint's biomorphic form evokes the Eames' subsequent influential plywood furniture designs.
The shape of the splint serves two important functions: comfortable support and a stacking form to facilitate safe shipping. The holes in the splint relieve stress on the moulded plywood to prevent splitting and provide easy access to thread the bandages that secure the leg to the splint. The splint's biomorphic form evokes the Eames' subsequent influential plywood furniture designs.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Leg splint (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Moulded plywood |
| Brief description | Leg splint, designed by Charles and Ray Eames, manufactured by Evans Products Company, moulded plywood, 1941-1942 (designed) |
| Physical description | A leg splint constructed of moulded plyformed wood made from one piece with a shaped section for the foot and heel and slots for bandages to secure the leg in place. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | 'S2-1790' (Heat-stamped on reverse of splint. 'S' not completely visible.) |
| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Given by Christopher Monkhouse |
| Object history | The Eames Leg Splint was an innovative re-design of the medical support apparatus and made a significant contribution to the World War II effort. |
| Association | |
| Summary | During World War II, the U.S. Navy asked Charles and Ray Eames to create a lightweight, inexpensive leg splint. The resulting design is sculptural yet functional and could be mass produced. With access to military technology and manufacturing, the designers were able to develop the design to create their first mass-produced product. By 1945, 150,000 had been produced. The shape of the splint serves two important functions: comfortable support and a stacking form to facilitate safe shipping. The holes in the splint relieve stress on the moulded plywood to prevent splitting and provide easy access to thread the bandages that secure the leg to the splint. The splint's biomorphic form evokes the Eames' subsequent influential plywood furniture designs. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.49-1983 |
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| Record created | January 28, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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