Graham Bell invented the telephone, Benjamin Franklin invented the bifocal glasses but who invented the sofa? What about the bed? History has brought to the attention of all, some of the most famous inventors of all time. Inventors of products that we use on a daily basis but no one has spoken about who invented the furniture we use everyday.
1. THE SOFA
The history of the sofa is almost as old as modern history. But who invented the sofa? It was invented by the Egyptians. The sofa today is the "throne" of every person who sits on it to rest, reads or watches television, in ancient Egypt only the kings, those who were thought to descend from the gods, were those who had a sofa because they could not touch the floor, they had to be higher than the ground and, of course, comfortable. But it was the Romans who “popularized” this piece of furniture in a certain way. Ordinary citizens continued to sit on the ground, on blankets, rugs, and even stones. Comfort had not yet reached Roman homes, but it was them who moved this piece of furniture to the so-called triclinum or dining room, where people came to chat or eat. However, not everyone could buy a sofa and it was only found in the upper class' houses. Also throughout the Middle Ages, only the wealthiest classes had a sofa. And it was not until the mid-1700s with the English industrialization that the first triplets began to be seen in the middle and lower classes. Its popularity increased and its design also became more sophisticated, and today the sofa has become one of the best inventions in history, especially for our rest.
2. THE BED AND MATTRESS
According to A Short History of Mattress Making, “in its simplest form, a typical 1600 bed was a wooden frame with rope or leather supports,” and “the mattress was a 'bag' with a soft filling that normally consisted of straw and sometimes wool, covered in cheap, simple fabric”. In the mid-18th century, the cover began to be made of quality linen or cotton, the mattress box was shaped or edged, and there were abundant and natural fillers, including coconut fiber, cotton, wool and the fur of horses. The mattress also became buttoned to hold the padding and cover together, they were sewn together at the ends. In the late 19th century, iron and steel replaced old wooden frames. The most expensive beds in 1929 had latex mattresses made by the very successful Dunlopillo company. Pocket sprung mattresses also appeared, consisting of individual springs sewn into cloth bags attached to each other.
3. THE CHESTERFIELD SOFA
Chesterfield sofa. Chester armchair. Chesterfield armchair. This furniture is a symbol of classicism and the best British craftsmanship. Chesterfield is a county of England. It is located in the center of the country, south of the city of Sheffield. For several centuries, the place has been a duchy that has been passed down from generation to generation. The earliest historical reference to the Earl of Chesterfield is from Philip Stanhope I (1584–1656). If we stick to the same historical documents, it would be one of his successors (possibly Philiip Stanhope V, who lived in the 18th century), who was responsible for coining the term che Chesterfield sofa ’. The Count commissioned a cabinetmaker to create an elegant sofa to decorate a distinguished gentlemen's club. The carpenter carried out a very novel design for two reasons. The upholstery was topped with buttons, which was very elegant and beautiful. The armrests of the sofa were at the same height as the backrest, allowing you to sit with your back upright. The design of the sofa was very popular with the Count, so much so that his title was used for the piece: Chesterfield sofa. Fashion quickly spread, and chester-inspired armchairs and even armchairs were also manufactured. Several centuries later, Chesterfield sofas became a symbol of elegance, class and sophistication. They decorate rooms in houses around the planet. They also adorn museums, hotels and offices.
4. THE TABLE
The origins of the first tables date back to more than 3,000 BC, in Egypt. The pharaohs invented an object similar to the table we know today, which they used above all, to lean on or to feed themselves. Since then, the table is the most used and most common piece of furniture. In the Middle Ages the table was already in full swing.
Two famous types of tables come from the Romans and the Greeks: the night tables and the dining tables. In the baroque, new types of tables continued to develop. With the Renaissance, the table was endowed with a touch of class. The furniture, made with precious metals such as gold, became a symbol of hierarchy and of the bourgeoisie of the time.
Currently, the tables have their diversity and their application in different fields ... as many as they are utilities. In addition to the daily use that is given to them, the coffee or end tables appear as an instrument of adornment or ornamentation on which food and accesories are usually placed to decorate our spaces.
It seems that the Egyptians, once again, had the great idea but then the tables have had an infinite development. In addition to those we have already talked about, we cannot forget other types of tables such as pool tables, desks, tables with one leg, three ... or office tables; usually made of wood or metal and used to make the most of the space and serves as a support tool for working. As you can see, there are as many tables as imagination we have.
5. THE OTTOMAN
We love making and using ottomans because they give any space a softer and more relaxed atmosphere than a coffee table, while still being very practical. When hollowed out with a hinged lid, they are great for storage. They can also be used as stools when the occasion calls for them and can perfectly contain food and drinks with the addition of a nice tray on top. But where does this versatile piece of furniture come from? Ottomans were first introduced to Europe in the late 18th century from Turkey (the heart of the Ottoman Empire, hence the name). Typically, a padded and upholstered bench or seat without armrests or backrests, traditionally they were piled up with cushions and formed the main piece of seating in the home. The shape evolved from a large piece of furniture that spanned around three walls to a more compact corner piece, before moving to a position in the middle of a room. During the 19th century, the ottoman became a key element in private membership clubs. Circular or octagonal, they sometimes had arms that divided the seating space into sections and a padded center column (often with a plant or statue on top) to lean on. The seat was hinged to allow the interior space to be used as storage. Our craftsmen make our ottomans by hand. Whether upholstered in durable fabric or top grade leather, these hardworking pieces will easily fit into your home (while adding a bit of classic flair to the space, too). Place one in a corner when not needed, then take it out when you want to kick your feet or if you have an additional guest for dinner and have a short chair. They can also double as a coffee table with a drink tray or an end table with a lap or decoration on top.
Comments