Photos of early Modern Leisure Chair , such as the Cent […]
Photos of early Modern Leisure Chair , such as the Centripetal, don’t look all that different than more modern versions. Even early models incorporated a swivel seat and casters. A lot of them also came with certain adjustable features that allowed for some customization based on the needs of the individual user. While these leisure chairs were functional, they weren’t all that visually appealing. They were typically just covered in different shades of black and grey until the early 1970’s when the leisure chair got a funky makeover.
The year 1976 marked the next big evolution in leisure chairs. This was the first time that designers truly began to think about the health and wellness of the people instead of simply viewing the leisure chair as a tool for productivity that ultimately benefited the business. The Ergo was meant to increase blood flow to the legs and provide spinal support. It also incorporated more adjustable features in order to create a more individualized comfort experience. Designers were finally taking into account just how much time people were spending sitting and trying to improve functionality through ergonomic designs. After the dot com bubble burst and America entered into the Great Recession, the appeal of expensive leisure chairs that used up valuable resources all but disappeared. As consumerism lost its luster in the face of high unemployment and the housing crisis, modern leisure chairs became more economically and ecologically friendly.
From bad posture and trouble thinking to organ damage and soft bones, sitting for too long and sitting improperly comes with a wide range of potential side effects. While the right modern leisure chair can certainly help to combat some of these consequences, people also have to make a conscious effort to stand at their desk, walk and stretch throughout the day. Moving forward, it is likely that the modern leisure chair will return to being more of a tool for productivity than a place where we spend most of our waking hours.
