Armchair

The source of inspiration for designer Karl Emanuel Martin (Kem) Weber’s armchair is the teardrop shape—the ideal streamlined form based on aerodynamic research. With its striking chromed arms, Weber’s armchair has a strong sculptural presence. As allusions to and visual manifestations of speed appeared in all the arts, the teardrop shape could be seen in everything from pencil sharpeners to ceramics to automobiles. Streamlining suited the austere tone of the 1930s both stylistically and symbolically. Expensive materials were replaced by cheaper and newer ones that could be easily molded for mass-production, forms were pared down, and ornamentation was all but eliminated.