Prior to the invention of the printing press, literature had to be copied and written by hand. This was often carried out by Monks, seated at office furniture. It is not a far stretch for the imagination to see these as early offices and clerical staff. Back then the emphasis was on practicality, and not the comfort of the worker. Unlike the comfortable, environment that an employee would find them self in today.
Two items of furniture are, without doubt, the most important features in any work space. These are the desk and the chair. As such they are the items that have probably undergone most development. Office furniture exhibits have always been popular exhibits at trade fairs.
Desk design drastically changed with the invention of the typewriter. Roll top desks were all well and good for hand written ledgers and dockets, but proved impractical for the placement of a typewriter. By the start of the 20th Century, over 90,000 people were working in the United States as clerical workers and typists.
In the early 20th Century the average working week was up to 60 hours long, over a 6 day working cycle. With the increased need for workers there was also an increase in establishments offering this specialized training. As the number of offices and staff grew, individuals were spending longer and longer at their desks doing a wider variety of tasks.
A major force that has had an impact on the working environment, has been the study of Ergonomics. Briefly Ergonomics is the study that allows a task to be performed more comfortably, by making the best use of the interaction between the individual and the equipment used on a routine basis. This will ease the daily strain placed on an individual.
You might be surprised to learn the identity of an early innovator of the chair, it was Charles Darwin. To enable him to view his specimens more easily, he attached wheels to the legs of his chair in his study. The chair has continued to evolve, with the main criterion being the comfort of the occupant. An early model included a swivel seat on castors.
These early chairs were similar to their modern counterparts. This office furniture was partially adjustable to enable the occupant to sit comfortable for long periods of time, thus increasing productivity. Nowadays, office chairs often have adjustable seats, backs, arm rests and seat heights. This helps to prevent repetitive strain injuries.
Two items of furniture are, without doubt, the most important features in any work space. These are the desk and the chair. As such they are the items that have probably undergone most development. Office furniture exhibits have always been popular exhibits at trade fairs.
Desk design drastically changed with the invention of the typewriter. Roll top desks were all well and good for hand written ledgers and dockets, but proved impractical for the placement of a typewriter. By the start of the 20th Century, over 90,000 people were working in the United States as clerical workers and typists.
In the early 20th Century the average working week was up to 60 hours long, over a 6 day working cycle. With the increased need for workers there was also an increase in establishments offering this specialized training. As the number of offices and staff grew, individuals were spending longer and longer at their desks doing a wider variety of tasks.
A major force that has had an impact on the working environment, has been the study of Ergonomics. Briefly Ergonomics is the study that allows a task to be performed more comfortably, by making the best use of the interaction between the individual and the equipment used on a routine basis. This will ease the daily strain placed on an individual.
You might be surprised to learn the identity of an early innovator of the chair, it was Charles Darwin. To enable him to view his specimens more easily, he attached wheels to the legs of his chair in his study. The chair has continued to evolve, with the main criterion being the comfort of the occupant. An early model included a swivel seat on castors.
These early chairs were similar to their modern counterparts. This office furniture was partially adjustable to enable the occupant to sit comfortable for long periods of time, thus increasing productivity. Nowadays, office chairs often have adjustable seats, backs, arm rests and seat heights. This helps to prevent repetitive strain injuries.
About the Author:
No matter if you need only one, or office desks for a whole space filled with workers, you can browse and buy online. Office desks are available on the World Wide Web or in local showrooms.
