History of the Office Chair

Are you tasked with filling your office with office chairs? You may wonder how to strike the right balance between comfort and style. To make the right decision, it helps to know more about the history of office chairs and how recent developments are influencing how they’re designed. After all, you and your colleagues will spend many hours in them, making the office chair the undisputed king of the workspace.

And why wouldn’t they be? Most office workers spend the majority of their day in their chairs. Knowing this, big box stores have entire sections dedicated to them in the same way a car dealership fills their showroom with their best and brightest.

While most professionals are quick to point out the comfort and status a good chair brings, few can dive into the history of the office chair. When were they invented? How did they become popular?

We will dive into each of these questions over the next few sections.

When Were Office Chairs Invented?

This question is tricky because there is no clear-cut answer. According to an article by Britannica, you could make the case that the first real business recliner was hewn from stone for Egyptian rulers.

During the 1840s, Charles Darwin wanted an easier way to reach his specimens while working. He took wheeled legs from his bed and placed them underneath his working chair, creating the first wheeled office chair. Darwin’s quest for more mobility while sitting played an enormous role in the evolution of office chairs, furthering their development through the 19th century.

Another theory on the emergence of the office chair points to the 1851 Great Exhibition in London, where Thomas E. Warren debuted his iron and velvet chair. It could swivel, roll and lean back. It was known as the “Centripetal Spring Armchair,” and people hailed it for its impressive comfort.

Evolution of the Office Chair

In the United States, ergonomic office chair designs picked up steam, but not popularity. In fact, there was a time at the beginning of the 20th century when ergonomic chairs were thought to make you lazy. They put a lot of emphasis on the form side of things and did not really target function. 

Straight, rigid backs and flat seats characterized old office chair designs. If the chair fit well with the surrounding decór, that was good enough.

At the same time, famous designers like Frank Lloyd Wright tried their hand at designing chairs. Wright created an adjustable chair that users could adjust to suit their height and working space. The invention marked a significant shift in the quest for more ergonomic office chairs.

How Office Chairs Became So Popular

Thankfully, the concept of the comfortable office chair didn’t remain buried under laziness stereotypes or the form-over-function philosophies of designers.

By the dawn of the ’50s, Ray and Charles Eames designed one of the first modern office chairs. Called the aluminum group chair, many modern chairs are reminiscent of this design, which features sleek lines, plastic casters and metal spokes.

Following this, many designers were creating seats that flaunted a high level of comfort and style. Our Nova High Back, which you can find in our catalogue, is an excellent example of an Eames-style chair.

Bill Stumpf Leads the Way

Over the next few decades, Bill Stumpf emerged as a leading designer for chairs worthy of the home and office. He popularized the round seat-back design we see all over the world. Stumpf is a notable figure in the modern world of office chairs, as he managed to find a middle ground between a chair that looks and feels good. He went on to design a mesh-back office chair that featured lumbar support. He called it the “Aeron”. It turned out to be another staple in the office chair world.

And if you’re looking for a savvy choice for reception-area reading, have a look at Jonathan Oliveras’ “Taxonomy of Office Chairs”.

Innovations and New Trends

With such a rich history, the office chair is bound to undergo even more innovations as we move into the 21st century. For a trendy and stylish yet comfortable sitting experience, have a look at some of the latest innovations in the office chair space:

• Sustainable options: The world is turning to greener alternatives, and some office chairs follow suit. From minimal designs that require less material to nature-inspired styles, you can find many options that suit your decor and budget.
• Adjustable chairs: Adjustable office chairs may not be an entirely new invention. However, designers are finding new ways to make chair adjustments more practical.
• Lumbar support: Back support is among the biggest driving factors in office chair innovations. From extra cushioning to posture support, the quest for better ergonomics is set to continue.
• Mesh chairs: Breathable chairs make people feel cooler and more comfortable, and many are opting for lightweight, efficient options.

How to Choose the Right Office Chair for Your Space

Here’s how you can maximize your space and needs with the right office chair:

• Let your colleagues and employees have a say in what they prefer.
• Balance your budget with core office chair needs.
• Strike a balance between ergonomic designs and aesthetics.
• Make the most of your office space by choosing the appropriate types of chairs.
• Try the chairs via 2D or 3D renderings before purchasing.

History is On Your Side

One of the takeaways here is that an office chair is not just a chair. There are thousands of years of history behind it, depending on who you ask, and countless hours of design poured into what we normally think is just a chunk of plastic, fabric and metal.

The beauty of the office chair is that it combines look and feel. Designers put an emphasis on creating a piece of furniture that is as pleasing to the spine as it is to the eye. 

Work With Our Experts to Get the Right Chair

COE Office carries attractive, ergonomic options for any office environment, and our catalog features dozens of different types of office chairs. From the Eames-inspired high and mid back chairs to various other options created in the vein of some of Stumpf’s most legendary designs. 

Browse our catalog today to explore what types of chairs we offer, or contact us.