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Who invented the rocking chair?

Question #38122. Asked by Jug Head.
Last updated Jan 06 2017.

greg9570
Answer has 17 votes
greg9570

Answer has 17 votes.
Benjamin Franklin invented the rocking chair by applying rockers to the lower extremities of his straight chair. However:
Though American inventor Benjamin Franklin is sometimes credited with inventing the rocking chair, historians actually trace the rocking chair's origins to North America during the early 18th century, when Franklin was a child.

link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocking_chair (satguru)

Also, and individual named Collingnon invented the first FOLDING rocking chair.
link http://www.jcollignon.com/FirstFoldingRockingChairInUS.htm

Response last updated by satguru on Jan 06 2017.
Aug 28 2003, 11:06 PM
Senior Moments
Answer has 11 votes
Senior Moments

Answer has 11 votes.
link https://www.onekingslane.com/info/home/the-history-of-rocking-chairs/

disputes the claim that Franklin invented it

Response last updated by PDAZ on Jan 06 2017.
Aug 29 2003, 11:39 AM
smartie806
Answer has 19 votes
Currently Best Answer
smartie806
19 year member
445 replies

Answer has 19 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.
Benjamin Franklin often gets credit as the inventor. However, rocking chairs existed prior to Franklin.
Though American inventor Benjamin Franklin is sometimes credited with inventing the rocking chair, historians actually trace the rocking chair's origins to North America during the early 18th century, when Franklin was a child. Originally used in gardens, they were simply ordinary chairs with rockers attached. It was in 1725 that early rocking chairs first appeared in England. The production of wicker rocking chairs reached its peak in America during the middle of the 18th century. These wicker rockers, as they were popularly known, were famous for their craftsmanship and creative designs.

Michael Thonet, a German craftsman, created the first bentwood rocking chair in 1860.

link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocking_chair

Response last updated by Terry on Sep 22 2016.
Dec 08 2006, 11:51 AM
skysmom65
Answer has 0 votes
skysmom65
19 year member
1504 replies

Answer has 0 votes.
We all know that the rocking chair is a distinctly american passion, its origins, however, are less clear. Adding skates or rockers to the bottom of chairs probably evolved from the cradle and the rocking horse, which both predate the rocking chair. Apparently no one thought to apply the idea to furniture for adults until the eighteenth century.

Response last updated by Terry on Sep 22 2016.
Dec 08 2006, 12:12 PM
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