Charles Darwin's work on the evolution of species in the Origin of Species revolutionised biology. However, the naturalist was responsible for many discoveries, and one of them may surprise you. Charles Darwin was the first to design an office chair as we know it today.
A Long History of Seating
Office chairs have a long history. The first chairs can be traced back to Egyptian craftsmen in ancient Egypt who worked sitting on chairs designed for this purpose. However, these were sloping stools designed to support a certain position.
The Birth of the Modern Office Chair
It was not until the early 1840s that the classic office chair as we know it today was invented. We can thank the scientist for this ingenious innovation.
This prototype was not at all a part of any thinking or work on the office chair. Darwin simply needed a more practical way to move around his study while working on his research.
Darwin's Innovation
Darwin added wheels to a chair so he could move quickly between his specimens and notes. This simple modification became the foundation for the modern office chair:
- Wheels for mobility
- Swivel base for easy rotation
- Comfortable seating for long hours of work
From Laboratory to Office
What started as a practical solution for a scientist's study eventually evolved into the ergonomic office chairs we use today at KWESK — designed for comfort, mobility, and intensive professional use.
Discover our chair collection and experience the evolution of Darwin's simple idea.
