Discover the History of Chairs

From the gilded thrones of pharaohs in ancient Egypt to the invention of the wheeled office chair many of us sit on today, chairs have seen many changes over the years. We’ve put together a short overview of some of the key points during the history of the chair.

Who Invented the Chair?

The invention of the chair cannot be attributed to a single individual, as chairs have evolved over thousands of years. The earliest chairs date back to ancient Egypt, around 2680 BCE, where they were used as symbols of status and authority by pharaohs and the elite. These early chairs were often made of wood and adorned with carvings, ivory, or gold. Over time, chairs became more functional and widespread, with variations appearing in ancient Greece, Rome, and China. While no single person invented the chair, its development reflects humanity's ingenuity in creating comfortable and practical seating solutions.

Chairs through Ancient History

Egypt

In ancient Egypt chairs were used by people of great importance such as pharaohs or priests who used raised thrones to place themselves above those they ruled over.

These thrones would likely have been crafted out of materials like ivory or carved and gilded wood and metal. If covered, they would have used luxurious and costly materials.

Rome

In ancient Rome we see a couple of new seating styles appear:

• Roman daybeds – also known as divans, these long bed style seats were perfect for lounging and could be found in the homes of wealthy Romans.
• Curule chair – often made of or veneered in ivory, this foldable, x-shaped chair was a symbol of political or military power.
• Bench seating – found in the Colosseum, bench seating was the perfect way to cater for the masses piling into amphitheatres for entertainment.

Greece

In ancient Greece bench style seating for the masses was also a popular choice in amphitheatres.

We also see the introduction of the Klismos chair - a sleek looking piece of furniture thanks to its sabre-like legs and curved back and sides. Whilst not as exclusive as its Roman counterpart the Curule, it was still likely to have been used more by high status people like philosophers and scholars rather than the masses.

Chairs in the 17th and 18th Century

Jumping forward to more modern times, we start to see the development of chairs as we know them today. Whilst basic timber chairs became a popular choice, a few events led to the creation of some of the most popular chair styles we see today:

Charles Darwin and the Office Chair

Did you know that one of the earliest innovators of the office chair was Charles Darwin? The renowned scientist put wheels on the chair in his study so he could get to his specimens more quickly and from this the wheeled office chair was created!

The Industrial Revolution

When it comes to the production of chairs for the masses, the industrial revolution sped things up dramatically. Occurring between 1760 and 1840, the industrial revolution allowed more chairs to be produced quickly and for a lower cost, making them more widely available to those outside of the upper classes.

20th Century and Modern Chairs

The 20th century has seen the technology used in chair design come on in leaps and bounds. We begin to see more materials being used, such as metals and plastics.

Many of the designs from this period have led to the products we see used in homes and commercial settings today. Some of the standout styles include metal folding chairs, metal-legged chairs like our Oxford Steel Stacking Chair, moulded plastic chairs, recliner chairs, egg chairs and many more!

Want to learn more about the history of chairs? Check out our articles on the history of the Tolix Chair, Bentwood chair and Windsor chair.

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