A Taxonomy of Office Chairs

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$49.95; 24pp; full colour and b&w; hardcover.

$49.95; 24pp; full colour and b&w; hardcover.

Since the 1840s thousands of office chairs have been designed and manufactured. The stated goal of this book is to publish the most innovative. As the author says in the intro, the selection process was underpinned by just one rule: only chairs that have introduced at least one novel feature have been included. Hence, there are classic designs by some classic designers, supported by brilliant drawings indicating generational advancements since the Centripetal Spring Armchair (1849), the book’s oldest chair. From that first steampunkish-looking assemblage to the current day, we’ve seen the ornamentation slip away, replaced by newer features that have been allowed by advancements in manufacturing, ergonomics and, latterly, concerns with sustainability and societal change.


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