Choosing an Office Chair

When you think of railroads, I’ll bet office chairs don’t come to mind. You may not think that railroads and office chairs have anything in common, but historically, the creation of the office chair links back to the arrival of the railway in the mid-1800s. Of course the focus on the ergonomics of office chairs in those days were minimal, but the idea that the office chair would increase productivity and accessibility spans over the centuries. Most work pre-railway was manual labor and farming – almost 90% of the civilian work force were farmers – but with the railway came a change in labor.

The railway created an expansion of family businesses into larger, more corporate services. With the boom in the business realm, administrative work became essential, introducing jobs like accounting, bookkeeping, and correspondence. Designed to increase productivity of clerical employees in the 1800s, the purpose of the office chair hasn’t changed much since. Also, because technology was also booming, office equipment became important for the first time. Employees were expected to sit and work long hours – much like we are expected to do now. Comfort became a key factor, and office chairs began to develop as professions did in the 19th century. Chairs began to be made with wood saddle swivel seats, slatted backs, and armrests.

In the 1970s, an important factor was added to the design of the office chair, with emphasis on ergonomics. Today, we realize more and more how important comfort and support is in an office chair, especially with how much time we spend sitting at work. Most office chairs also have wheels, making moving around easier and faster. Office chairs are now constructed so that an individual can adjust the seat height and tilt, armrests, and chair back. All office chairs should provide proper lumbar support. Back, neck, and shoulder pain are serious issues in the workplace, making it vital that employees are smart about choosing an office chair that fully supports them, and that their office chair is individualized to meet their body’s needs. Your individual weight, height and dimensions are important when investing in an office chair.

Each body is unique and today’s office chair construction takes that into consideration. Leather office chairs are comfortable, durable, and easy to clean. Others might prefer office chairs with different fabrics, which are sometimes easier on the wallet, but still give great support. Drafting chairs are also a wonderful choice for architects and artists and other people who have professions that involve higher desks than the normal ones you would find in an office. Drafting chairs most often have a footrest. Executive chairs most often have more seat padding than task chairs and give ample comfort and a reclining option that most office chairs don’t have. Whichever office chair you end up choosing, you can count on two things: it will be more comfortable than the chairs of the 1800s, and it will be one of the most important purchases you make.