How Thonet Redefined Elegance and Modernity in Chair Design

How can the elegance and modernity of chair design continue to be embodied? This is the daily challenge for Thonet GmbH, the German manufacturer and historical heir to the famous Thonet brand, founded in Vienna in 1853 by Michael Thonet (1796–1871). With its name intertwined in the history of design, Thonet has revolutionized furniture twice: first with bentwood chairs, then with tubular steel designs during the Bauhaus era. This article revisits a storied industrial history spanning 170 years.

Michael Thonet: A Pioneer of Mass-Produced Furniture

Michael Thonet was born on July 2, 1796, in Boppard, Germany. A cabinetmaker by trade, he founded his first furniture business in 1819 before relocating to Vienna in the 1840s at the request of Austrian Chancellor Prince Clemens Metternich. By 1853, Thonet transferred his company to his sons under the name Gebrüder Thonet, laying the groundwork for industrial-scale furniture production.

Chair No. 14: The First Mass-Produced Chair

In 1851, Michael Thonet developed Chair No. 14, also known as the "bistro chair." This revolutionary piece featured:

1. Mass production: A simple design consisting of just six wooden pieces, 10 screws, and two nuts.
2. Flat-pack efficiency: Up to 36 chairs could be shipped in a 1m³ box—an early precursor to IKEA’s approach.
3. Innovative techniques: The invention of bentwood allowed for sleek, curved designs.

Chair No. 14 remains one of the most iconic and widely produced chairs in history, embodying practicality, elegance, and modernity.

Bentwood Innovation: A New Era

Michael Thonet's groundbreaking process exposed wood to steam and pressure, making it elastic enough to bend without breaking. After drying, the wood retained its durable, curved shape. This process enabled large-scale production and established Thonet as a leader in affordable yet stylish furniture.

Signature Pieces

• Chair No. 14: A timeless café classic.
• Armchair No. 209: Introduced in 1900, this elegant design features organic curves and a woven rattan seat.
• Rocking Chair (1908): A beautiful demonstration of the potential of bentwood.

Bauhaus Influence: Tubular Steel Revolution

In the 1920s and 1930s, Thonet embraced modernism by acquiring Marcel Breuer’s Standard-Möbel company. This led to the development of cantilever chairs—seats with no back legs, supported by a tubular steel frame.

Iconic Tubular Steel Models

1. S 33 Cantilever Chair (Mart Stam, 1926): A minimalist design classic.
2. S 35 L Armchair (Marcel Breuer, 1929): An enduring symbol of Bauhaus functionality and elegance.

Thonet's Resilience and Modern Legacy

Thonet endured industrial and geopolitical challenges, dividing into two companies in 1876:

• Thonet GmbH (Germany): Continues to innovate and produce classic designs.
• Thonet Vienna (Austria): Preserves the bentwood tradition.

Today, Thonet GmbH collaborates with renowned designers like Verner Panton and Konstantin Grcic, blending its historic expertise with contemporary creativity.

Recent Highlights

• Model 275 (S-Chair): Designed by Verner Panton in 1956 and produced from 1965.
• Muji Collaboration: A reinterpretation of Chair No. 14 by James Irvine for a modern audience.

A Legacy of Innovation and Timelessness

From its bentwood masterpieces to Bauhaus innovations, Thonet represents the pinnacle of design and craftsmanship. By continually adapting to modern needs while preserving its heritage, Thonet ensures that its name remains synonymous with elegance, innovation, and quality.

Notable Designs in Thonet’s History

• Chair No. 14 (1859)
• Armchair No. 209 (1900)
• S 33 Cantilever Chair (1926)
• S 35 L Armchair (1929)
• Model 275 (S-Chair) (1956)

Author: François Boutard