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The World's Oldest, Simplest Chair Design?

…and perhaps the world's first piece of flatpack, space-saving furniture

By Rain Noe - April 3, 2015

in Furniture Design

This type of chair was a build project for America's Boy Scouts since the 1930s, though they didn't design it. It's been referred to as a Camping Chair, a Bog Chair, an X-Chair, a Stargazer Chair, a Viking Chair, an African Chair—no one can agree on where the design first came from or what it ought be called.

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Whatever stylistic departures are taken by builders, they're all the same at the core: Two boards joined by slotting a very long tenon through a simple mortise.

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There are multiple Instructables on how to make the chair, with one calling it The One-Board Minimalist Chair, another referring to it as The African Two-Board Folding Chair and third naming it The Plank Chair. Lots of folks also posted photos of their own in the comments to those Instructables.

Here's video of Steve Ramsey of Woodworking for Mere Mortals whipping one up:

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So—think you can improve upon it?

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Mike Mullen

9 years ago

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You mentioned making the chair with mods for taller, bigger people. Such as? Pics?
I'm 6'6" 250. Love the design but worried about strength

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roy Hanson

9 years ago

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I made one similar to above, only with seat higher (than 14") for us taller and heavier guys/gals. More curves to appeal visually. Plus you sit more upright. Made of Poplar, with 4 coats of Marine Varathane. The design is more Steve Jobs than being square.
It has lasted through 2 Canadian Winters.

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- Alisa Wiant
  
  roy Hanson
  
  2 years ago
  
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  How did you are this for a bigger person do you have the dimensions
  Thanks
  
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