{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O144117"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O144117/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2012FP3718/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2012FP3718/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"low","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2012FP3718","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2007BR3577","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2008BT7453","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2006AY5179","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O144117","accessionNumber":"W.49-1983","objectType":"Leg splint","titles":[{"title":"Leg splint","type":"generic title"}],"summaryDescription":"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.\n\nThe 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.","physicalDescription":"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.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Eames, Charles","id":"A6738"},"association":{"text":"designer","id":"x36960"},"note":""},{"name":{"text":"Eames, Ray","id":"A6739"},"association":{"text":"designer","id":"x36960"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[{"name":{"text":"Evans Products Company, Molded Plywood Division","id":"A21060"},"association":{"text":"manufacturer","id":"x33306"},"note":""}],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"plywood","id":"AAT12849"}],"techniques":[{"text":"moulding","id":"AAT53134"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Moulded plywood","categories":[{"text":"Health","id":"THES48942"},{"text":"Woodwork","id":"THES48877"},{"text":"War","id":"THES257202"},{"text":"Interiors","id":"THES48933"},{"text":"Household objects","id":"THES48939"},{"text":"Shekou","id":"THES279777"},{"text":"Values of Design","id":"THES279818"},{"text":"Design Society","id":"THES279819"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"FWK","id":"THES48597"},"images":["2012FP3718","2007BR3577","2008BT7453","2006AY5179"],"imageResolution":"low","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"74","id":"THES49720"},"free":"","case":"CA007","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Leg splint","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"California","id":"x28779"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1941-1942","earliest":"1941-01-01","latest":"1942-12-31"},"association":{"text":"designed","id":"x29338"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by Christopher Monkhouse","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Length","value":"107.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"19.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Height","value":"10.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":"Measured 18/12/2015"}],"dimensionsNote":"Taken from register","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"'S2-1790'","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"Heat-stamped on reverse of splint. 'S' not completely visible."}],"objectHistory":"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.","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Leg splint, designed by Charles and Ray Eames, manufactured by Evans Products Company, moulded plywood, 1941-1942 (designed)","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[{"text":"Second World War","id":"V72"}],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"Design innovation in times of need\n\nDuring the Second World War, design team Ray and Charles Eames focused on new forms of moulded plywood. In 1942, the US Navy commissioned them to create a lightweight and stackable leg splint that could float. Their design solution could be kept in place with straps to support an injured leg. Around 150,000 of the splints were manufactured and used during the war.\n\nLightweight plywood leg splint \n1942\nDesigned by Ray and Charles Eames \nManufactured by Evans Products Company, Molded Plywood Division, USA \nHeat-moulded plywood \nGiven by Christopher Monkhouse \nMuseum no. W.49-1983\n\nThe object sits in the 'Crisis and Conflict' section of the Design 1900-Now gallery opened in June 2021.\r\n","date":{"text":"2021","earliest":"2021-01-01","latest":"2021-12-31"}},{"text":"LEG SPLINT (mounted on wall)\r\n\r\nDesigned by Charles Eames (American, 1907-1978) and Ray Eames (American, 1912-1988)\r\nManufactured by Molded Plywood Division, Evans Products Company, Venice, California, USA\r\nMoulded plywood\r\n1942\r\n\r\nThe Eameses began their investigations into the possibilities of plywood moulding through a wartime commission from the United States Navy to develop lightweight and stackable leg splints and stretchers for injured sailors. This led to the successful production of seating furniture (including the chairs on display below the splint) over the course of the following four years.\r\n\r\nGiven by Christopher Monkhouse\r\nW.49-1983","date":{"text":"1989-2006","earliest":"1989-01-01","latest":"2006-12-31"}}],"partNumbers":["W.49-1983"],"accessionNumberNum":"49","accessionNumberPrefix":"W","accessionYear":1983,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":["2025PG3407","2025PG0888","2016JA0697","2019LN5884","2019LT6801","2019LW3924","2019LW1773"],"recordModificationDate":"2026-05-13","recordCreationDate":"2008-01-28","availableToBook":false}}