Chair creation affords the designer an almost infinite range of possibility in producing an original form, without compromising function.  If the design is inspired, one little chair can stand alone as a focal point, a furniture “celebrity” unto itself. Perhaps more often than any other piece of furniture, throughout history a particular chair has often been a designer’s signature, while giving us a glimpse into the tastes of his era.  And like the 20th century itself, with its constant innovation, and rapid progress there are are more unique, recognizable, iconic chair designs from that 100-year period than from the 1000 years preceding it!

Among the images, (which include both the classic, and the clever), are the designs from those who established themselves solidly in the history of 20th century chairs, having more than one ubiquitous design!  Some of the these designers are indeed iconic names: Eames, (Charles & Ray), Le Corbusier, Mies van der Rohe, and Breuer. Many of the chairs featured were created by architects; some of them famous names: Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Frank Lloyd Wright, Frank Gehry.

Twentieth century furniture design, like all design, started with the materials, ideas, and technologies already available, and invented new ones along the way, sometimes accidentally. By 1900, the Industrial Revolution had, for more than 120 years, transformed the landscape of many countries, (figuratively and literally).  The increasingly powerful machine of industry, and the growing market for consumer goods dictated mass production, and the utilization of more easily obtainable man-made materials, establishing a standard for modern furniture design that was affordable, versatile, and attractive in a new way.

Throughout the 20th century, upholstery manufacturers had a universe of fabrics with which to experiment!  There were the natural ones such as leather, suede, wool, silk and cotton; but also synthetic blends, with different appearances and textures, including vinyl and ultrasuede, nylon and polyester, and eventually, the practically indestructible microfibre, (a synthetic with a suede-like appearance).

Steel, aluminum, fiberglass, and plastic were staples in the construction of 20th century chairs; not only favoured for their strength, durability, and availability, but because in many cases they defined the style of the piece.  Bent wood, (solid or layered) was an essential to building strength into luxurious curves and cantilevered frames.  Particle-board, (invented in the 19th century), by the 1950s had become indispensable in construction of much of the furniture in all price and quality brackets; from budget self-assembly goods, to the strong skeletons of expensive custom creations.

Throughout history, colour has been used in a variety of techniques for creating beautiful furniture finishes. The pieces featured in this article give a hint of the 20th century spectrum, from the muted to the vivid, from basic (irreplaceable) black, through the rainbow to pure white!

There have been those times in history when major changes occurred in a relatively short space of time, due to cataclysmic events.  After emerging from the noise, the mud, and horrors of the Great War, western society was ready for change!  In more that one respect, the gap between the privileged and the poor began to shrink, and their aspirations and expectations in life found more common ground. There was also greater ease of movement between the classes; up for those wanting a higher standard, down for those who wanted a simpler life, “doing their own thing”, (without the pressures imposed by one’s high station).

Womens’ rights, and responsibilities increased, as their skirt-lengths decreased; (getting shorter throughout the 20th century than at any time in history!) The population as a whole became more casual, yet more worldly and sophisticated in it’s tastes. The century unfolded in a kaleidoscope of opportunity that expanded geometrically!

Twentieth century furniture designs have have the look of the times in which they were born: the jazz-age, the jet-age, the space-age, the information-age; even rising to the challenges of a world at war, for the first time in history …twice!

In the subtle and the obvious, 20th century chair design reflects our level of material advancement, as well as our values, pursuits, and priorities: youth, freedom, fun, excitement, fast cars, computers, high-technology, telecommunications, TV & media, DIY, home entertaining, fashion, the sexual revolution, raised consciousness, global awareness, ecological issues, commercialism, corporate culture, affluence and frugality, busy lifestyles, individuality, comfort!

Furniture and chair design had been evolving and changing for centuries, but with the 20th century the changes became radical! The vintage and antique still held its value, but the new, flashy, and highly unusual established a value of its own; serious art for the collector, practical fashion statement for the masses!

The following images are those in the slide-show above, with further commentary throughout this article, and additional photos not in the slide-show. 

With the cantilevered no visible means of support technology, many 20th century chairs seem to flamboyantly defy the laws of balance or gravity, while in fact working skillfully with them!  (Two of the most famous examples follow below; and further down are the Stagi/Leonardi Dondolo Totale, Gehry Contoured, Reitveld Zig Zag, Panton Moulded Plastic, IKEA Poang, the Dixon S-chair, and the Opsvic Gravity Balans.)

Among the images, (which include both the classic, and the clever), are the designs from those who established themselves solidly in the history of 20th century chairs, having more than one ubiquitous design!  Some of the these designers are indeed iconic names: Eames, (Charles & Ray), Le Corbusier, Mies van der Rohe, and Breuer. Many of the chairs featured were created by architects; some of them famous names: Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Frank Lloyd Wright, Frank Gehry.

Twentieth century furniture design, like all design, started with the materials, ideas, and technologies already available, and invented new ones along the way, sometimes accidentally. By 1900, the Industrial Revolution had, for more than 120 years, transformed the landscape of many countries, (figuratively and literally).  The increasingly powerful machine of industry, and the growing market for consumer goods dictated mass production, and the utilization of more easily obtainable man-made materials, establishing a standard for modern furniture design that was affordable, versatile, and attractive in a new way.

Throughout the 20th century, upholstery manufacturers had a universe of fabrics with which to experiment!  There were the natural ones such as leather, suede, wool, silk and cotton; but also synthetic blends, with different appearances and textures, including vinyl and ultrasuede, nylon and polyester, and eventually, the practically indestructible Microfibre, (a synthetic with a suede-like appearance).

Steel, aluminum, fiberglass, and plastic were staples in the construction of 20th century chairs; not only favoured for their strength, durability, and availability, but because in many cases they defined the style of the piece.  Bent wood, (solid or layered) was an essential to building strength into luxurious curves and cantilevered frames.  Particle-board, (invented in the 19th century), by the 1950s had become indispensable in construction of much of the furniture in all price and quality brackets; from budget self-assembly goods, to the strong skeletons of expensive custom creations.

The following images are those in the slide-show above, with further commentary throughout this article, and additional photos not in the slide-show.