Charles Ormond Eames, Jr (1907-1978) and Bernice Alexandra "Ray" (née Kaiser) Eames (1912-1988) were American designers, who worked in and made major contributions to modern architecture and furniture. They also worked in the fields of industrial and graphic design, fine art and film.

Charles Eames, Jr. was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He was the nephew of St. Louis architect William S. Eames. By the time Charles was 14 years old, while attending high school, Charles worked at the Laclede Steel Company as a part-time laborer, where he learned about engineering, drawing, and architecture (and also first entertained the idea of one day becoming an architect).

Charles briefly studied architecture at Washington University in...