After almost three decades of driving a Ford, Charles and Ray Eames needed to buy a new car, but were unable to find a model they liked to replace the old one.
All the new models, they felt, were too flashy. What they wanted was a nice, well-designed, anonymous car, much like their old one. The two designers were known for not replacing well-designed goods – whether it was their washing machine, a photo camera, or a car – just because the style had become outdated. Instead of innovating for the sake of innovation, as “more horrors are done in the name of innovation than any other”, they believed in the continuous development of a good idea into a good design. They believed in adapting to new technological standards, rather than to new tastes. Luckily, Mr. Ford read their letter, and shortly after contacting him, Charles and Ray Eames received the car they were looking for, assembled according to their wishes.
Courtesy vitra.com
Charles Eames with his Ford car in front of Strathmore House designed by Richard Neutra (1945).
