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Home / Blog / History of Modern Office Systems Furniture

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History of Modern Office Systems Furniture

Published May 14, 2014 in Office Furniture

 

Modern office Systems Furniture has revolutionized the way that companies do business. In addition to being fully functional, certain items have the ability to increase employee confidence and comfort. After taking a look at today’s Systems Furniture, you’ll have a greater respect for the innovation that went into each to develop and market them. Here are some of the modern office Systems Furniture that you’re most likely very well acquainted with

 

The Desk

Although the desk has been around since Medieval times, it didn’t gain popularity until pre-printing press times when books were once copied by hand. Desks in that time period were large, heavy, and fully equipped with slots and hooks that helped house a wide range of writing implements. The Renaissance era saw slimmer furniture as cabinet-making was a popular trade. Not only viewed as a necessity for sitting and working, desks became beautiful parts of homes and businesses. Modern desks were created in the 17th and 18th centuries. The ergonomic desk that so many employees know is actually a refined version of the drawing/drafting tables of the 18th century.

The Rolling Desk Chair

Office chairs became increasingly popular around the mid-19th century. Workers were spending more time at their desks and needed a more comfortable solution to do so. Rolling wheel office chairs, aka the swivel chair, increased mobility making it possible for workers to push themselves closer or further away from a desk as well as wheel themselves over to a filing cabinet, fax machine or printer. One of the most notable names in modern office chairs is Charles Darwin, the naturalist best known for his theory of evolution. He was said to have put wheels on the chair in his study. The modification made it possible for him to get to his specimens easily. Otto von Bismark is who was credited with popularizing office chairs. He distributed them to parliament during his time in office. Thomas Warren, the inventor of the Centripetal Spring Armchair, introduced the invention at the 1851 Great Exhibition consequentially increasing the level of comfort experienced by office workers worldwide.

The Lamp

Although Thomas Edison was credited for creating the incandescent lamp, there were at least 22 other inventors at the time that were working on the same invention. Three things made Edison’s lamp superior were its incandescent material, higher vacuum, and high resistance. His invention was the most economical choice available at the time.

The Filing Cabinet

An American inventor named Henry Brown is credited for creating a receptacle capable of storing and preserving papers. The filing cabinet was made of forged metal in 1886. It was sealed with a lock and could withstand both fire and heavy damage caused by accidents. It kept papers sorted which was very ideal for offices small and large. As many modern offices have gone paperless, the filing cabinet has inspired electronic filing systems. Folders are set up on computer and through email clients as a way of keeping information sorted and easy-to-access within seconds. There are even apps that allow office workers to organize their mail clients without having to manually sort, delete, and group like messages and senders.

The Wastebasket

The first tin can ever created and patented was done by Peter Durand. Since then the can has been used for many things and one of those is the wastebasket. The wastebasket was something that people really didn’t think much of, but without them offices and business would be a mess. The wastebasket was designed so that it was easy to dispose of anything and could be easily emptied without much hassle.

The Paper Shredder

An American inventor named Abbot Augustus Low is credited with inventing the first paper shredder, however, it was never actually manufactured. The first actual paper shredder to be manufactured was in 1935 by Adolf Ehinger from Germany. He built the first one so that he could shred his anti-Nazi propaganda. He then later marketed his shredders to government agencies and financial institutions. His company, EBA Maschinenfabrik, manufactured the first cross-cut paper shredders in 1959 and are still in business today. Offices use paper shredders to make it easier to get rid of important documents no longer needed. Also, by using the paper shredder, employees and businesses can prevent theft of personal and business information. Today, there are over 9 million cases of identity theft in the United States alone and this is why paper shredders are more important now to offices than ever before.

The Post It Note

A scientist working at 3M is credited with coming up with this invention. Dr. Spencer Silver was trying to develop a super-strong adhesive and accidently came up with a “low-tack”, reusable, pressure-sensitive adhesive. He tried for 5 years within the company with no luck. He then used their “permitted bootlegging” policy to develop the idea and Post It Notes were created. Offices use sticky notes all the time and it can be very helpful. From making contracts easier to see where to sign and date, to leaving reminders about meetings and phone calls, offices use Post Its. These little Post It Notes are not only practical in any office, but they can also make it easier to remember things. This is one reason that the Post It Note is as successful as it is today.

The Water Cooler

In 1906, Halsey Willard Taylor and Luther Haws invented the first water fountain and the rest is history. Ok, not really. They came up with the invention because they felt that children who drank contaminated water had poor health. The early drinking fountains were room temperature but soon the want for cooler water was evident. So they came up with using blocks of ice in the fountains. Over the years, they have evolved and the water cooler is the name for these water fountains. These are found in many offices and since they are not as big as they used to be or as expensive, they are easy to get. They come in bottle and bottle-less designs and there are even ones out there that are small enough to fit on desks. All of the time of gossiping around the water cooler wouldn’t be possible without Taylor and Haws.

The Coffee Maker

It’s hard to actually put a time stamp on when the coffee maker was invented. The history of the more modern coffee maker starts in France and then moves from there. The first percolators were first developed in the mid 1800’s, then in 1840 the vacuum principle was used. This method heated the water below then vacuumed it up into the top area where the coffee was. This was used through much of the 1900’s and in 1972, Mr. Coffee changed the world of coffee makers forever. They commercialized the coffee maker and made it so that everyone could afford to have one in the house and home. Offices now have coffee makers for employees and even customers to use. It’s a means of helping people stay awake and stay active throughout the day. The coffee maker is just like the water cooler, a source for many employees to gather around during the day.

The Vending Machine

The first fully automatic vending machine came in 1867 and was invented by Englishman Simeon Denham. The first actual modern coin-operated vending machines debuted in London in the early 1880’s. In the United States, the first vending machine was built in 1888 by the Thomas Adams Gum Company. Since then, vending machines have been made in many different varieties and styles. Many offices and businesses use vending machines and these machines offer employees and even customers a range of items. From pop, water, and other beverages, to snacks and even sandwiches, vending machines are a staple for many businesses and offices.

The Microwave

An American inventor came up with the microwave on accident. That accident has changed how people cook, interact and do things in the kitchen. It was invented by Percy Spencer and was named “Radarange” and sold in 1947. Raytheon licensed its patents for a home-use microwave but these were still much too big and expensive for the general home. The microwave is one of the items that can be found in an office break room. It is used quite often and can be a centerpiece to some discussion at times. The microwave allows employees the means to warming up a drink or food item, and not have to leave the actual office area. It has made possible for people to get more work done without having to leave for a lunch break. Instead people can bring their lunches to work and warm them up there. The history of modern office Systems Furniture is rich and exciting. Who would have ever guessed that the items that have now taken up a permanent spot in your home or office building were once mere concepts inside an inventor’s head? Think about all the pieces of furniture you’ve spent years using. They’re all pretty genius, right?

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