If there’s one item of furniture that has become indispensable over the years, it’s the humble office chair. Whether it’s working away at the office or catching up on correspondents at your office desk at home, the chair is an essential requirement of any workspace.
However, while they are now utilised in offices across every corner of the globe, how did they become such a staple? In this latest blog, we thought we would take a closer look at the origins of the office chair and how it has evolved over time.
The office chair beginnings
The origin of chairs dates back thousands of years, but the idea of the common office chair that we know today can be traced back to the 19th century. These early chairs were often rigid wooden structures with minimal padding, placing functionality above comfort. However, as workers began spending longer sitting down at their desks, the need for a more versatile solution became apparent.
It was Charles Darwin who created the first step toward the modern chair, when he added wheels onto his normal chair. This allowed him to swivel around his laboratory and between specimens without needing to pick up and move his chair.
This was developed further by Thomas E. Warren during the mid-19th century when he created the Centripetal Spring Armchair. This chair featured castors and a swivel mechanism to allow workers to move around even easier, as well as lumbar support, headrests, armrests, and tilt movement.
20th century upgrades
As the 20th century began to unfold and work increasingly required spending a long time sitting down at a desk, the need for improved ergonomic chairs became clearer. The office chair that we recognise today started to appear after the Second World War, with the ergonomic research that went into designing cockpits for planes and tanks proving vital for the development of the office chair.
Since then, these chairs have been continuously revamped and updated, with designers such as Bill Stumpf, Charles and Ray Eames, and Arne Jacobson all creating unique chairs that took ergonomics and comfort further. Whether it was additional support, the ability to raise or lower the height, or the introduction of the pellicle mesh chair backs to regulate body temperature, these changes were designed to enhance comfort and make it easier to sit at your desk all day.
Modern developments
While the basic design and function of the office chair have remained steady for several decades, in recent years, there has been somewhat of a revolution. With the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle becoming apparent, workers have tried everything from balance ball chairs to treadmill desks to try and get themselves moving.
Technology is also playing a significant role in the development of the office chair. The development of eco-friendly materials will allow for greener chairs, while the likes of virtual reality and augmented reality could help to evolve the office chair further to create an immersive and adaptive workspace.
Create a modern workspace with Meridian
Here at Meridian Office Furniture, we know the importance of creating a modern and inspiring office environment. That is why our team will work closely with you to design and install personalised spaces that meet your requirements and budget.
With over 40 years of experience, we know that your office is more than a workplace, which is why we create environments that promote productivity and support the health and wellbeing of your team. Want to find out more about our services and how we can help you? Get in touch with our team today!