Magazine C Issue 02 NO.14

The No. 14 chair, which Michael Thonet introduced in 1859, is widely known as the “coffeehouse chair.” In fact, since the 19th century, the chair has transcended time and borders, and is found wherever people gather, be it cafés, restaurants, or bars. Through the No. 14 chair, Thonet embodied technological innovation, efficiency, and accessibility as he pioneered new mass production manufacturing techniques to steam-bend wood, create easy-to-assemble products, and introduce flat-pack shipping for efficient international distribution. He also promoted his products in catalogs. Today, everyone can purchase and use a reasonably priced chair and expect consistent quality, and with its classic design and elegant beauty, the No. 14 chair stands at the starting point of this phenomenon.