Folding Screen by Charles & Ray Eames (FSW-6) for Herman Miller Birch Wood

Designed and released to the market in 1946, the abbreviated Folding (F) Screen (S) in Wood (W) stood for a range of screen dividers which were part of the plywood home furniture products released post war.
The Eames FSW range was essentially a set of six available 'catalog' models of screens consisting of three overall lengths available in two heights and in a range of finishes. The screens could also be ordered with customized lengths by merely adding plywood sections to its overall length.
The design of the screen was a clever combination of molded plywood panels and a flexible cotton canvas band in between each. The panels were shaped to the same exact form allowing for the screen to ‘collapse’ as well as extend out and stand freely.
Whilst the general demand for screens and dividers may have waned during more recent times, they were certainly in demand during the post war era. Buildings, both domestic and commercial were often compact and with areas of shared purpose space. The FSW screen dividers were an attractive way making the separation for a variety of scenarios.
The FSW, as part of the plywood furniture group, was released alongside famous eames chairs such as the DCM and LCW, and tables including the DTM and DTW. By the mid 1950's the plywood pieces were declining in popularity, largely due to the advent of differing fashions and new materials. The screen was discontinued in 1955 but would re-appear as part of Herman Miller's 'home classics' which started again in 1994.