In the early 1950s, the Eames office investigated bent and welded wire as the basis for furniture. Inspired by trays, dress forms, and baskets, the office developed a variety of pieces, including Eames Wire Chairs.They made the rim of the chair a lighter-gauge wire and doubled it for stability to achieve strength requirements, an organic shape, and cost restraints. This advance won them the first American mechanical patent for design. The chair was marketed by Herman Miller until 1967 and reintroduced in 2001.