The Increase in Popularity of the Rise and Recline Chair
Although a fairly recent invention, the rise and recline chair is now an important piece of furniture for thousands of people throughout the world. The lives of thousands of people who suffer through serious mobility conditions are helped by the electric lift chair, or riser recliner, as it is also known.
How did the rise and recline chair come to be invented and where was if created? The history of the recliner started in 1928 when the first one was conceptionalized and built.
The Story of Early Recliners
Edwin Shoemaker and Edward Knabush began their pioneer furniture company in Michigan back in 1927, and the following year the cousins received a patent for the first reclining chair. This consisted of a standard chair that was modified so that the back reclined and the seat moved forward.
The recliner had actually been around in some shape or form for a long time before this.
Even though there were these previous models, the cousins were the first makers to patent their design, and quickly became a success with consumers. Later they made a new model that added padded cushions, and sometime around 1931 they became the first makers to patent an automatic recliner, and were promptly one of the most popular companies.
Afterwards, they changed the name of the company to La-Z-Boy, which they continue to use down to this day; shortly thereafter they began to face stiff competition with other companies, the most challenging of which at the time was Barcalounger – a company that included a integrated foot-rest into their innovative design in 1947.
How Rise and Recline Chairs Were Made
The origins of rise and recline chairs unmistakably began with early version recliners, however, they take those designs to a totally new height. However, it was not until the 1980s that the first rise and recline chairs began to appear on the market, although/though the date of the first actual model is unclear.
As soon as the chairs came on the scene, it was readily apparent that they were a huge success. When the chairs started began to surface into the market, it was quickly obvious to everyone that they were immensely popular. With these newer chairs, people with mobility conditions soon found that they could sit down and get up much easier than they ever had been able to previously.
However, inicial versions of these contemporary chairs were not ideal. Unfortunately, the first versions of these chairs were not completely bug free. Some safety issues, resulting from adding a simple spring system into the standard recliner model, dampened some of the initial sense of accomplishment that had resulted at the chairs debut. The result was an uncomfortable overall experience for consumers, and several unfortunate accidents.
The Modern History of Rise and Recline Chairs
Luckily, things have changed and today’s rise and recline chairs are far superior to the earlier models In the past few decades the functionality, usefulness, strength, and overall design of these chairs has dramatically improved.
Nowadays rise and recline chairs are an vital piece of furniture in the homes of many people around the world who bear mobility issues. With these advances in safety, design, appealing styles, size, and impressive selection – there has never been a better moment to purchase one.