Whether it’s beside the newborn’s cradle or on the porch in the evening breeze, the rocking chair soothes people’s body and mind with its unique rhythm. For centuries, it has always been a symbol of relaxation and companionship. Today, let’s explore the history of the rocking chair and see how it has evolved over the ages.
Who Made the Rocking Chair
In 1710, the inventor of the rocking chair was commonly credited as Benjamin Franklin. However, it is also believed that the design of the rocking chair actually originated from early American joiners and farmers. Regardless of who first invented the rocking chair, it’s indisputable that it has long been ingrained in the fabric of our lives, playing an integral role in everything from the porch of an ordinary home to the study of a statesman.
The History of the Rocking Chair
- As early as ancient times, humans had mastered the soothing effect of rocking. Rocking cradles appeared long before rocking chairs. Archaeologists discovered rocking cradles from the ancient Roman period at the ruins of Herculaneum in Italy.
- In 1725, a craftsman in Yorkshire, England, attached two iron skates to the bottom of a Windsor chair to create the earliest prototype of a rocking chair. The design soon spread to the North American colonies and gradually became popular.
- In 1787, “rocking chair” was first recorded in the Oxford English Dictionary, marking the official linguistic and cultural recognition of rocking chair as furniture.
- In 1820, the Shakers invented the Shaker rocking chair in New York with a minimalist and practical design concept. It’s still regarded as a classic of American furniture design.
- The Boston Rocker, which originated in Connecticut in 1825, has become an important milestone in the history of rocking chairs thanks to its comfortable design and wide popularity.
- During the Industrial Revolution, the application of new materials promoted the innovation of rocking chair design. In the 1830s, American inventor Peter Cooper designed the first steel rocking chair. In 1860, German designer Michael Thonet used bentwood technique to create the world’s first bentwood rocking chair.
- In 1955, President Kennedy began using the Carolina rocking chair to relieve back pain at the suggestion of his doctor. This type of chair quickly became popular due to media reports. Eventually, it was called the “Kennedy rocking chair” and became a bestseller in the United States.
Major Rocking Chair Styles
Having gained a brief understanding of the development process of rocking chairs, let’s take a look at the main styles of rocking chairs from ancient times to the present.
1. Windsor Rocking Chair
The Windsor rocking chair originated in the UK and was later brought to the US. It has a classic British country style, an elegant design, and a lightweight but stable structure.
- Windsor rocking chairs are usually made of solid wood such as oak, ash, and hickory.
- Its most notable feature is the unique spindle-shaped backrest design, which not only provides good support but also creates an open feel.
- The seat surface is mostly shallow disc or saddle-shaped, slightly concave, which fits the human body curve better and improves seating comfort.
- The chair legs are slender and slightly curved, arranged in a figure-eight pattern. Combined with the cross-bracing structure, this design is both attractive and enhances overall stability.
2. Boston Rocking Chair
The Boston rocking chair is believed to have originated in New England in the 1840s and became popular across the United States. It’s a variation of the Windsor rocking chair, retaining the traditional structure while incorporating a more comfortable and distinctive design.
- The backrest of the Boston rocking chair is composed of tall spindle-shaped slats arranged in a comb-like shape, slightly curved to fit the human back.
- The backrest top is equipped with a wide and slightly curved horizontal rail, which can support the head and serves as a decoration.
- The seat design is unique. The front of the seat curves downward while the rear curves upward, providing better support for the thighs and lower back.
- It features volute armrests that curve downward at the front, with smooth lines designed for comfortable arm support.
- The Boston rocking chair is also very decorative. The chair’s backrest is often decorated with flowers, vines and other prints, reflecting rich artistic style.
3. Shaker Rocking Chair
The Shaker rocking chair was invented by the American Shakers in the late 18th century. With its clean lines, minimalist decoration and practical design, this chair perfectly reflects the Shakers’ philosophy of simplicity, practicality and honest craftsmanship. Although each rocking chair has slightly different armrest and seat designs, they generally share the following common features:
- Shaker rocking chairs are often made of solid wood such as cherry, maple or birch, which is strong and durable.
- The backrest is a trapezoidal design made up of multiple slats.
- The seat is woven with cotton webbing in a checkerboard pattern, providing breathability.
The chair is made using traditional mortise and tenon joinery, requiring no nails or screws and ensuring a strong, easy-to-maintain structure.
3. Mission Rocking Chair
The Mission rocking chair (also known as the Arts and Crafts rocking chair) emerged during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It belongs to the Arts & Crafts movement style, which emphasizes high quality craftsmanship, simplicity and practical design.
- The chairs are usually made of high-quality solid wood for durability.
- These rocking chairs are generally designed with straight lines and geometric forms, eschewing complex decorations.
- The backrest is composed of several vertical slats, which provide good support and adds visual interest.
- The wide armrests enhance comfort and are also convenient for temporarily placing books or tea cups.
- The chair frames are mostly waxed or varnished to preserve the natural grain of the wood and highlight the natural beauty.
Modern Rocking Chairs
With the advancement of technology, modern rocking chairs are constantly innovating in design and function, showing a diverse development trend. The following are some of the main features of modern rocking chairs.
- Diversified design: The design of rocking chairs combines traditional elements with modern aesthetics, presenting a variety of styles that are simple and sleek as well as bold and innovative.
- Rich material selection: In addition to classic solid wood, wicker and metal, modern rocking chairs also widely use a variety of environmentally friendly composite materials to meet various needs.
- Continuously optimize comfort: Manufacturers pay more attention to the ergonomic design of chairs to bring a more comfortable user experience.
- More multifunctional: Some modern rocking chairs are equipped with adjustable backrests, retractable footstools and cup holders. Others are designed to be foldable for easy storage and carrying.
Conclusion
Today, rocking chairs are not only simple pieces of furniture, but also carry our yearning for a comfortable life. We hope this brief review can give you a better understanding of rocking chairs.
Serwall offers a variety of comfortable and practical outdoor rocking chairs, from classic porch rocking chairs to distinctive Adirondack rocking chairs, to meet your different preferences and usage needs. If you’re thinking about updating your outdoor seating, explore our rocking chair collection to make your moments more comfortable.
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