The Folding Expedition Chair has an interesting history. We sourced this chair from a carpentry shop in Bangalore that has been in business for over 40 years. Read more about the history below (image courtesy of Bonet-Kurchan-Ferrari).
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COMING SOON: WORKSHOP PHOTOS & FULL STORY
Photos from the carpentry workshop are coming soon. For now, read more about the history of this versatile chair below:
HISTORY - THE FENBY PARAGON CHAIR
The Expedition chair was inspired by the Paragon folding chair first designed by British engineer Joseph Fenby in 1855, patented in England in 1877 and patented in the US in 1881 (though many believe this design predates Fenby).
CAMPAIGN CHAIR
In 1904 Fenby licensed his chair to American, French and Italian companies. The chair was also used by British and American armies and was known throughout Europe as an Officer’s chair or Campaign chair. President Theodore Roosevelt even used this chair.
(Image courtesy of US Patent Office)
(Image courtesy of Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site)
(Images courtesy of americancampchair.com)
TRIPOLINA CHAIR
The Italian version became known as the Tripolina chair as it was made by the firm Viganò in Tripoli, Libya for the Italian expatriate market.
BUTTERFLY & BKF CHAIR
The Fenby chair inspired the design of the Butterfly chair by Argentinian architects Bonet-Kurchan-Ferrari in 1938. The Butterfly chair won awards at an exhibition in 1940 where it was recognized by the Museum of Modern Art. This chair was also called the BKF chair or Hardoy Butterfly chair. Hans Knoll noticed the chair's special design and produced these chairs for sale from 1947 to 1951.
(Image courtesy of Wikipedia)
CAMPING & CONTEMPORARY CHAIR
The chair later became popular in the US as a camping chair. The chair's simple design and versatility have inspired countless variations, for both camping and the home, that have sold in millions around the world.