The humble deck chair; a staple of British beaches and now found in events and spaces all over the world. But where did it all start? And who even invented the Deck Chair?
The Inventor of the Deck Chair
The invention of the deck chair (or deckchair) is a highly debated subject, with different versions of a ‘folding chair’ or ‘adjustable chair’ being patented across the UK and USA in the 19th Century (coincidentally both by a man named John). In the United States, John Clam’s application for a patent for a folding chair was granted in August 1855. Over in the UK, John Thomas Moore’s patent was for an adjustable and portable folding chair and was granted in 1886. Moore manufactured two variations in Macclesfield: the Hygienic and the Waverly. While the Hygienic was a rocking chair which was “valuable for those with sluggish and constipated bowels”, the Waverley was designed to be ‘the best ship or lawn tennis chair’ and is thought to be where we get the name deck chair.
But were they the first? Honest answer…we don’t know! Examples of folding chairs have been found across the world dating back to the Bronze Age, Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, and even Ancient Egypt. But were they used to relax on a nice windy British Beach? And designed with a classic striped pattern? Probably not – that came much later!
It’s all in the Design
Nowadays, when you hear ‘deck chair’ your mind usually goes to the vintage design with the 1 piece of canvas, usually with a classic stripe, supported by 3 rectangles of wood, metal or plastic (It’s the one we like best at Decked Out!). The use of a single strip of canvas material was introduced sometime in the late 19th Century by Atkins, although there are doubts to this as advertisements for a similar design have been seen dating around 1882 for something called “The Yankee Hammock Chair” with clear American roots.
Who knew there was so much debate over deck chairs?
Over time, the name ‘deck chair’ has been used for various types of folding chairs used on cruise ships and ocean liners. One example is the steamer chair which is closer to the modern-day sun lounger in design. There were thought to be over 600 of these deck chairs on the infamous Titanic Cruise Ship. One of these deck chairs recently sold for over £80,000 – amazing considering most were thrown into the sea to serve as life rafts. This confusion over the term deck chair is one reason why it is so hard to discern who actually invented and designed it, with various versions being classed as a deck chair.
Images: Deck Chairs on St Anne’s Pier in the 1950’s as shown on Amounderness, Giant Deckchairs and Deck Chairs in Sheffield’s Winter Garden both sourced from Decked Out.
Fun Fact
Deck chairs are the subject of a popular English phrase; ‘to rearrange the deck chairs’, or more specifically ‘to rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic’. According to Cambridge Dictionary, it’s used for saying that ‘someone is wasting time dealing with things that are not important, and is ignoring a much more serious problem’.
The British Beach Icon
It wasn’t until the early 1900’s that the hiring of deck chairs on British beaches became such a phenomenon. Across the country, promenades and piers allowed paying guests to hire out their deck chairs and sit enjoying the best the British seaside had to offer. Brighton and Blackpool became famous for their seaside offerings, with guests and other businesses flocking. Before long, patents for ‘beach chairs’, not dissimilar to those we love, were popping up all over and the deck chair craze in the UK had well and truly begun.
Fun Fact 2
Blackpool recently saw the return of their deck chairs after a 10-year absence. They didn’t stay away long – things with good style never do!
Images: All sourced from Decked Out.
And now we have Decked Out!
Years later, our founder Sophie has found and lovingly restored some of these vintage deck chairs for a whole new purpose. While once they graced sandy shores and pebbled beaches, now they can be the unexpected and exciting guests at your next event.
So, whoever it was that created the deck chair originally, we at Decked Out applaud and mostly thank them for the years of joy they have brought. As well as those to come!
Get in touch for your next event.
