The dull hum of florescent lights, the buzz of a computer, the squeak of an office chair, and the smell of burnt coffee. Welcome to work. For a concept that is less than 150 years old, the office has managed to become perhaps the single best qualifier for what we consider white-collar employment. Though a staunch capitalist would claim the office started with the ancient Roman officium most archaeological evidence suggests these ancient offices were a dignitary's administrative staff and collaborators and wee often mobile.
The modern office " in all its goldbricking glory " did not take shape until the beginning of the 1860s. As the Industrial Revolution was driving more and more people into the cities, and as companies grew is staff, it became necessary to group people into a common room. With thirty people gathered to pour their blood, sweat, and tears into the business at hand, it became essential to organize the space accordingly and get the people behind desks and in chairs.
Once in their chairs, it became a monumental task to keep their rear ends firmly planted. The thinking was a good office worker is one that stays put. The evolution of office chairs, therefore, is a never-ending quest to keep people working and at their desks. More padding, swivels, armrests " the obsession with ergonomics, in can be argued, had little to do with altruism and everything to with getting-rich-ism.
As anyone who has had the displeasure of sitting on a wooden chair for half an hour can attest to, sitting in a modern office chair is a dream come true. And as any company that has been sued for repetitive-strain injuries can attest " investing in a $300 chair makes great economic sense when faced with a multi-million dollar lawsuit. And so a new market for office furniture was born.
This is how office chairs become a symbol of a persons station in the white-collar world. Sitting on a cloth-covered swivel chair? Probable salary range: $30,000. Sitting on a Corinthian leather wing back with built-in massage hands? Probable salary range: whatever you want to pay yourself. And though the office does not seem to have an end in sight, the politics of where you park your rear continue. How the ancient Romans would be proud.
The modern office " in all its goldbricking glory " did not take shape until the beginning of the 1860s. As the Industrial Revolution was driving more and more people into the cities, and as companies grew is staff, it became necessary to group people into a common room. With thirty people gathered to pour their blood, sweat, and tears into the business at hand, it became essential to organize the space accordingly and get the people behind desks and in chairs.
Once in their chairs, it became a monumental task to keep their rear ends firmly planted. The thinking was a good office worker is one that stays put. The evolution of office chairs, therefore, is a never-ending quest to keep people working and at their desks. More padding, swivels, armrests " the obsession with ergonomics, in can be argued, had little to do with altruism and everything to with getting-rich-ism.
As anyone who has had the displeasure of sitting on a wooden chair for half an hour can attest to, sitting in a modern office chair is a dream come true. And as any company that has been sued for repetitive-strain injuries can attest " investing in a $300 chair makes great economic sense when faced with a multi-million dollar lawsuit. And so a new market for office furniture was born.
This is how office chairs become a symbol of a persons station in the white-collar world. Sitting on a cloth-covered swivel chair? Probable salary range: $30,000. Sitting on a Corinthian leather wing back with built-in massage hands? Probable salary range: whatever you want to pay yourself. And though the office does not seem to have an end in sight, the politics of where you park your rear continue. How the ancient Romans would be proud.
About the Author:
The status and stigma of modern office chairs should not persuade or cajole you to buy one. The need to be comfortable, and respect the demands of your body, should propel you pick an outstanding office chair.
