Recliner
A chair that reclines for comfort and multifunctional use.
A recliner is an armchair or sofa that reclines when the occupant lowers the chair's back and raises its front. It has a backrest that can be tilted back, and often a footrest that may be extended by means of a lever or automatically. Modern recliners feature adjustable headrests, lumbar support, and additional options such as heat, massage, and vibration, and are common in homes, airplanes, and trains.
- used_by
- General public and commercial use
Lore & Background
Around 1850, the French introduced a reclining camp bed that could serve as a chair, a bed, and a chaise longue. It was portable and featured padded arm rests and a steel frame. In the late 1800s, many designs were found for motion chairs made of wood with a padded seat and back. The first reclining chair was reportedly owned by Napoleon III.
Edward Knabusch and Edwin Shoemaker, two American cousins, gained a patent on a wooden recliner in 1928, leading to the founding of La-Z-Boy. In 1930, they patented an upholstered model with a mechanical movement. In 1959, Daniel F. Caldemeyer patented a recliner based on the science of kinetics, though it was not used by NASA for the Mercury, Gemini, or Apollo programs—those used specialized couches designed by other engineers.
Reader's Guide
The recliner has evolved from a simple wooden bench design to a sophisticated piece of furniture incorporating ergonomic principles and advanced features. Its significance lies in its adaptability for relaxation, sleeping, and medical recovery, as seen in its use by President Lyndon B. Johnson and NASA astronauts. The contributions of inventors like Knabusch, Shoemaker, and Caldemeyer established the modern recliner's mechanical and comfort innovations, including footrests, heat, massage, and entertainment centers. The recliner's presence in homes, airplanes, and trains underscores its role as a multifunctional item that accommodates near-supine positions. Its legacy is preserved in museums and libraries, reflecting its cultural and technological impact on everyday comfort and specialized applications.
Did You Know?
- The word 'recline' was first used in the 1660s, derived from Latin reclinare.
- The first reclining chair was reportedly owned by Napoleon III.
- Daniel F. Caldemeyer patented a recliner design in 1959, but it was not used by NASA for Projects Mercury, Gemini, or Apollo.
- A story that the Secret Service purchased 50 recliners for President Lyndon B. Johnson as a Christmas gift is unverified and likely fabricated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Recliner?
Recliner is a type of armchair or sofa engineered to tilt its backrest backward and extend a footrest when the occupant engages the mechanism. It exists as a dedicated relaxation seat for both residential and commercial use.
What are Recliner's powers and abilities?
Beyond its core recline-and-extend function, modern Recliners can incorporate adjustable headrests, lumbar support, built-in heating, massage, and vibration features. These extras turn a simple chair into a multifunctional comfort station.
Where does Recliner appear in the real world?
Recliners are staples of living rooms, home theaters, and commercial lounges, and their adjustable-seating design also shows up in airplane and train cabins. They serve the general public as well as hospitality and transit industries.
How does Recliner's story end?
Over years of use, the levers, springs, and upholstery that define a Recliner gradually wear down, ending its functional lifespan. At that point the piece is typically replaced or broken down for recycling.
Why is Recliner important to the furniture world?
Recliner carved out a niche as a seat built specifically for adjustable, hands-free comfort rather than static sitting. Its combination of a tilting backrest and an extendable footrest has made it a defining piece of relaxation furniture in modern households.
More in Furniture & Household Items 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record