The History of the Rocking Chair (Part Two)

In my last post, I began to discuss the history of the rocking chair. Here is the rest of the story!
The first bentwood rocking chair was designed by Michael Thonet, a German craftsman, in 1860. What makes this design different is its graceful shape and light weight design. Thonet used wood that was bent and steamed to make these rocking chairs. Bentwood rocking chairs became famous around the world because of their affordability and gorgeous design. They also spawned countless imitators as well.
During the 1890’s, Neoclassical designs became a trend in the United States. These rocking chairs were influenced by classical Greek and Roman designs, with a hint of Renaissance flair and the artistry of the colonial era.
Then in the 1920s, folding rocking chairs became more popular in Europe and the United States. They were convenient for traveling and could be stored in a much smaller space. By the 1950s, rocking chairs built by Sam Maloof, an American craftsman, gained renown for their durability and deluxe appearance. These rocking chairs are differentiated from other designs by their ski-shaped rockers.
Today, there are countless different rocking chair designs. Basically every type of chair available has been adapted to be able to rock back and forth. They are an excellent addition to any backyard, and you can definitely find a model that suits you perfectly.

The History of the Rocking Chair (Part One)

A wood rocking chair is one of the rest ways to relax and enjoy the peacefulness of your backyard. The original inventor of the rocking chair is actually unknown. Some people want to attribute Benjamin Franklin with its invention, although there is no historical evidence to back these stories up. In fact, historians are only able to trace the origins of the rocking chair to 18th century North America.
Originally, the chairs were simply ordinary chairs with two rockers on the bottoms. They were only used as garden chairs.
In 1725, the early rocking chair first arrived in England. These chairs had hoop-shaped backs and were also used in the garden. However, these chairs were invented in the North American colonies and made their way over to England.
Windsor rockers, as this design was called, were first built near the Windsor Castle in the early 1700s. These rocking chairs featured a round hoop back, a birdcage (with spindles that are known for its cage-like appearance), and a comb-back (with comb-shaped head rest).
The wicker rocking chair is another popular design that was created during that time. The production of wicker rocking peaked in America during the middle of the 18th century. These wicker rockers, as they were commonly called, were famous for their well-crafted and creative designs.