SubscribeSign In
Collection by Kate Santos

A History of Modern Chairs

The best way to gain perspective on the aesthetics of a given era is by examining the product designs of the time. To that end, what better piece to examine then one of the most widely-ignored but ever-present? Take a trip down memory lane as we trace the history of modern chairs.

View 8 Photos
Charles and Ray Eames are two of the most famous chair designers in the world. Their contribution to modern chair design is unparalleled. The Shell chair, which was one of the first industrially-manufactured plastic chairs, comes in a wide variety of styles, including a version with an armrest and an office version (pictured here).
Charles and Ray Eames are two of the most famous chair designers in the world. Their contribution to modern chair design is unparalleled. The Shell chair, which was one of the first industrially-manufactured plastic chairs, comes in a wide variety of styles, including a version with an armrest and an office version (pictured here).
The original Emeco Navy 1006 (pronounced "ten oh six") chair caught the attention of famous modernist architects including Frank Gehry and Norman Foster. Knock-offs can be found worldwide but the authenticity of the Emeco chair is easily verified by finding indentions on the backside of the chair. Today, the company still manufactures the same 77-step design with recycled Coca-Cola bottles. Photo by Armando Bellmas.
The original Emeco Navy 1006 (pronounced "ten oh six") chair caught the attention of famous modernist architects including Frank Gehry and Norman Foster. Knock-offs can be found worldwide but the authenticity of the Emeco chair is easily verified by finding indentions on the backside of the chair. Today, the company still manufactures the same 77-step design with recycled Coca-Cola bottles. Photo by Armando Bellmas.
Olivier Mourge’s 1965 Djinn chair was used in the set design for Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey.”
Olivier Mourge’s 1965 Djinn chair was used in the set design for Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey.”
The company marketed Eero Aarnio’s 1966 Ball Chair as a meditative “room within a room.”
The company marketed Eero Aarnio’s 1966 Ball Chair as a meditative “room within a room.”
The world's first mass-produced beanbag chair reinvented conventional forms of sitting. The Sacco created by designers Pierro Gatti, Cesare Paolini, and Franco Teodoro has been part of MoMA's permanent collection for over 40 years.
The world's first mass-produced beanbag chair reinvented conventional forms of sitting. The Sacco created by designers Pierro Gatti, Cesare Paolini, and Franco Teodoro has been part of MoMA's permanent collection for over 40 years.
Mezzadro seat. Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni (1924). $1,010.
Mezzadro seat. Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni (1924). $1,010.
Saarinen Tulip Chair from Knoll
Saarinen Tulip Chair from Knoll