The changes in lifestyle thatheralded the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th.Interest in healthy outdoor activities by men and women alike were gainingattention, like tennis and golf. Cycling also became a craze and the patentfoldable chair manufacturers responded timely to the changing market ininnovative and surprising ways. Modernism also created changes in furnitureproduction. New materials and technology was incorporated in foldable chairproduction in the 20th century.
Under these conditions it is perhapsastonishing that when the modern age inventors and designers looked back to the19th-century American parlour, they saw only formal furniture,formal parlour culture, rigidity and immovability. Fig. 9 Americaca. 1920-1929 online image (www.journals.lib.unb.ca)Thecomplex relation between innovation and tradition clearly manifests in theevolution of the patent folding furniture.
In terms of posture and mobility,the folding chairs were innovative and at the same time represented custom intheir upholstery and decorative details. The professed rigidity of the 19thcentury interior was rejected by the new design philosophy of modernism of the20th century. But in the process the neatness, simplicity, mobilityand use of new materials for foldable furniture were ignored by the modernistdesigners who claimed them to be their own. Newsocial and economic signifiers were created with the advent of modernism andthe American home again became the locus for evaluation. Although more and morewomen started working outside, the domestic environment was still under womendomain and influenced the growth of female interior design in 20thcentury. The patent foldable chair is a proud part of the modern American home.Themodern foldable chairs were manufactured in 1947.
Frederic Arnold invented thefirst aluminum model, incorporating fabric straps on the back and seat of thechair. A decade later, in 1957, he registered his own company, the FredericArnold Company, after the success of his folding chairs. His was the firstcompany to mass-produce folding chairs and became the foundation of hisfurniture business.Typesof Folding Chairs: The folding chair can be categorized as:Mid-range:Thesechairs are sand not upholstered. They have a greater variety in styles andmaterials. Primarily used not only for huge grounds, outdoor or places ofworship but also cafes and brasseries. The chairs under this category are easyto assemble and has a stiff fabric which provide adequate back support.
Mesh materialmade chair is comfy and well-ventilated. It has additional carrying strap that improvesits portability. It can easily use at camps, outdoor concerts and sportingevents. Fig. 10 KijaroXXL Dual Lock Chair online image (www.topbest10reviews.
com)Upper range:Thesefolding chairs are reinforced, made up of padded seats and backrest. These aremainly used for sporting occasions. The seat is made to drop backward so thatit stands straight, help rainwater run off the upholstered seat. These chairsare termed as cost effective chairs. They are stylish and need low maintenance havinga triple brace and double hinged features. Fig.
11Hercules 1″ Padded Metal Folding Chairs, Navy online image (www.samsclub.com)High end:Folding chairs in this groupare very few and are sold in a very small bulk. They may be upholstered. Theyare priced higher because renowned companies manufacture them and have top-notch materials andprofessional-grade performance.
Fig. 12Director folding chair by KingCamp online image (www.topbest10reviews.com)Materials: Materialsfor the foldable chair are:· Iron· Wood· Plastic· Aluminum.Thesedays, one can find foldable chairs in various styles, made up of differentmaterials. Blow molded plastic is the frequent type, followed by aluminum andwood. The typical weight is usually less than ten pounds.
Typically, they weighless than ten pounds which improves its functionality and mobility. Usually,the folding pivot is directly under the seat. Extra support is provided by theback rest being attached to the front legs, crossing the seat near the center. Inthe unfolded form, the back legs and the seat itself form a ninety-degreeangle. The chair folds around the hinges involving the front legs, and arelocated on both sides of the seat.
Once the front legs come into alignment withthe back legs the seat is also folded parallel with the back making for aneasily- stored flat piece. This also helps to place folding chairs oneover the other for storage or transport, saving great deal of space. There arealso other models that fold in an “X” pattern in either the front or back.
Thedirector’s chair is the most recognizable version of the “x” style foldingchair. In these models the back support consists of a piece of fabric which ispulled taught once the chair is open. Conclusion.
Althoughchairs have developed into different forms, like dining chairs, rocking chairsand office chairs. Folding chairs, which are quite popular these days, alsohave been in use since ages and have evolved a lot especially in the lastcentury. Although they were first invented by people who were constantly onmove and required chairs that could be folded and transported easily, but thesedays it’s also the need of small homes, travelers and campers. Foldingchairs are a definite way of adding extra seating in schools, offices,stadiums, churches and other large institutions and are purchased in bulk forthis purpose. They are also effective in domestic settings. Usually, they areso light that anyone can setup and tear down a room furnished with foldingfurniture regardless of their physical strength.
