Later, in 1947, Fredric Arnold created the first aluminum chair with fabric webbing. In 1855, John Cram received an early patent for a folding chair. While folding chairs date back to ancient Egypt, we'll skip ahead a few centuries because you probably have places to be. (We'll save you a seat!) A SHORT HISTORY OF THE HUMBLE LAWN CHAIR
If you're interested in joining the metal or folding chair fold, sit a spell with this guide to the lawn chair's lively yet laid-back history, including historic brands and modern makers to know. Another check in the lawn chair's favor: The nostalgia these retro relics serve up in these uncertain times can be as comforting as a Tupperware tub full of day-after fried chicken. Second, they tend to be more affordable, with some in our roundup below starting at a very reasonable $20, meaning you can create a (safely staggered) semicircle-6 feet apart, y'all!-for friendly banter without breaking the bank.
First, lawn chairs are far more portable-you can easily tote one over to the neighbor's yard for an impromptu chat about the Sweet Magnolias finale (Who. In fact, the lawn chair has unseated (heh) both the porch swing and the outdoor rocking chair as the Official Throne of Summer. The July-Aug subscriber cover of Country Living declares "Lawn Chairs are the New Porch Swing."Īs it seems the world is slowly, surely, coming out of forced hibernation and venturing into warmer temps and safe socially distanced territory, small groups all over-from Bible studies to book clubs-are congregating on front lawns and plopping down old-school lawn chairs before sharing gospel or gossip.