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Rare, Early Design for an Adjustable Ergonomic Chair

The Do More Chair from 1920

By Rain Noe - January 25, 2021

in Furniture Design

Here's a rare example of a metal ergonomic chair designed circa 1920, when wooden furniture was common, and concerns for workers' spinal health was not.

Called the Do More Chair, it was designed by the now-defunct Tan-Sad Chair Co. in England. The series of holes in the structural components show where the adjustability is for the seat and backrest. I wish there was a close-up photo of the pins or bolts, which the ad below says can be adjusted without the use of tools. Additionally, you can see that the height is adjustable as the central shaft is threaded.

The chair was also distributed in the Netherlands by Dutch furniture brand Ahrend (hence the ads shown below are in Dutch).

As vintage furniture retailer Ztijl explains of the chair:

"In 1920 comfort was seen as a luxury, workers at factories often worked in factories on backless benches. The 'Do More Chair' was therefore far ahead of its time. It can swivel, has wheels and both the sitting position and the backrest are adjustable."

Here's an English machine-translation of the Dutch ads:

"The Do More Chair [vs.] an ordinary office chair.

"Our Do More anti-fatigue chairs promote health through their ideal seating style: Back supported - chest relaxed.

"The unparalleled adjustability meets individual requirements. The adjustment is done without any tools. Our Do More Chairs fit in any environment."

"The Do More Chair. The ideal chair for the working person. For use in offices, drawing offices*, laboratories, for operating office machines and telephones, etc. Back support for your work."

*Dutch speakers: A little help here? Does "Teekenbureaux" mean drafting pool?

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Wubbo Jong

3 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

I forgot the translation: Drafting office

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Wubbo Jong

3 years ago

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Z

Reply

Hi, teekenbureaux is old dutch.
Current spelling is; tekenbureau

There are many old dutch words in the article.
Thank for sharing!

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- Wubbo Jong
  
  Wubbo Jong
  
  3 years ago
  
  Z
  
  Z
  
  Reply
  
  I forgot the translation: Drafting office
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  - Frank Borsboom
    
    Wubbo Jong
    
    3 years ago
    
    Z
    
    Z
    
    Drafting Table - Bureau is French (?) for Desk... French speakers? :)
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E. Agle

3 years ago

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Z

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In this context it's 'old' dutch (before 1954) for a (probably professional, angel-adjustable) drafting table or drawing board.

:-) is that what a 'drafting pool' is? ... because google couldn't help me with that one :-)

Some additional information:
https://www.kunstbus.nl/design/ahrend.html states translated:
After the war, the 'Doe Meer' chair series was created at De Cirkel (later acquired by Ahrend), in which parts of pressed steel plate were used. In addition to bending steel pipes, the processing of steel plates has become increasingly important in the production process.

Combined with extra information about "de Cirkel":
https://www.kunstbus.nl/design/de+cirkel.html
In 1951 the new factory in Zwanenburg was completed. US Army orders for office chair production in 1952 allowed the company to build some capital. Among other things, armchairs, chairs, tables, racks, photoprinting equipment and drawing tables were produced. Rationalization of the ever-expanding range was initially not an issue. Schröfer wanted to further propagate the ideals of industrial design, especially in the field of office design. Until 1966, the designers at De Cirkel were known: Jan Schröfer, Friso Kramer, Wim Rietveld and O.O. Kolthof. Wim Rietveld had previously worked for Gispen. Famous furniture was developed and produced, such as the Oase, Pyramide, the Revolt series by Friso Kramer, famous school sets and the Contour stack chair.

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