The Long & Colourful History of Bentwood Chairs

Some people mistakenly think that Bentwood is the name of a chair manufacturer, yet it is actually a type of chair that is made by bending the wood to the correct shape to make a chair. The very first Bentwood chair was said to be made by an Austrian cabinet maker by the name of Michael Thonet in Vienna in the 1850s. 

How are Bentwood chairs made?

After selecting and preparing the wood, it is steam-treated and bent into shape, then when the right shape is achieved, the wood is cooled and it remains in that shape. Thonet experimented many times using various forms of heat before eventually stumbling on steam, which made the wood pliable without splintering. Thonet tried many different ways including veneer and glue and while he saw some benefits, steam-heating the wood turned out to be perfect.

Keeping it in the family

Thonet enlisted the help of his sons who carried on developing this amazing process and like most things, you more you do it, the better you become. They were very industrious and within a few years, Bentwood factories emerged across Europe and new designs were created, including chairs made with slats that had flowing lines. It wasn’t only aesthetically pleasing, Bentwood chairs were very comfortable and most importantly, large pieces of wood were not required to create curved shapes. The iconic No 14 chair was designed by Michael Thonet in 1859, which quickly became the first mass-produced chair, as it was relatively easy to make.

Popular bar furniture

Bentwood chairs became very popular in bars and restaurants, mainly due to the added comfort and the elegant look. Customers were very impressed with this style of seating and that made Bentwood furniture very popular in homes all over Europe. Here in Australia, homeowners prefer rattan Bentwood chairs because they are very durable and can withstand the harsh Aussie climate. If you would like to view a wide range of rattan Bentwood furniture, start with a Google search and you will find leading Australian suppliers that offer the best quality items.

Mass production

The Thonet family constructed a new factory in the Moravian Forest and separated the construction process into different parts; men did the steaming and bending while women handled the artistic side and finished off the chairs with sanding and applying varnish. Click here for top-rated designs for outdoor spaces.

Kit form manufacturing

One of the Thonet sons was a very clever chap and he worked out a way to ship the chairs in kit form and the retailer could assemble the chairs when the kits arrived. In 1857, the factory produced 10,000 units per year, which grew to an amazing 1.8 million in 1913. 

The Thonet family set their sights high and together, they created a global network of retailers to market their furniture, publishing catalogues in several languages. The business was so successful, they created a global marketplace and struggled to keep up with demand, opening new factories as they were needed. Bentwood furniture far exceeds Australian standards, which is why they are so popular for garden furniture.