History of the LayZBoy Recliner

by: Michael O'Brien

There are literally hundreds of recliner styles made by dozens of recliner manufacturers. In the midst of all these recliners one brand name stands out. Among a handful others, LayZBoy, has nearly become a household name. Whether we call them recliners or motion furniture, Americans love a comfortable chair. The sight of someone coming home after a days work and slipping into gentle repose in their favorite recliner has become an All-American image.

Now the recliner, and motion furniture in general, is not a uniquely American invention. The concept of motion furniture dates back to the eighteen hundreds in Europe. From the time of Napoleon until the early nineteen twenties, motion and reclining chairs were not commonly used. Not until nineteen twenty eight did the idea of a reclining chair as an everyday piece of furniture enter the American consciousness. It would two Americans to create a recliner brand name that would become almost ubiquitous.

Knabush and Shoemaker, who happened to be cousins, were granted the first patent on what was best described as a working wooden recliner. What started out as a recliner that more closely resembled a beach chair was not very remarkable. The big difference between design and other recliners was the patent which led to the founding of the LayZBoy Company. Up until that time, no other company that had obtained a patent was successful in creating a brand name.

The style of recliner that most folks are familiar with is comfortably upholstered. The two cousins would patent their first upholstered recliner in nineteen thirty. The nineteen thirty one model featured a mechanical movement which made the motion smoother. What was missing was an integrated foot rest or ottoman. The addition of an integrated footrest would not appear until nineteen forty seven. Ironically, Knabush and Shoemaker were not the ones to design a recliner chair with a fully integrated foot rest. This accomplishment would be credited to a competing company. From then on, a fully integrated ottoman or footrest would become a standard feature in recliner design.

Regardless of which company designed a footrest or when the design was released, it was still the LazZBoy Company that would make the recliner an essential piece of living room furniture. There would be many companies that would follow but the LayZBoy brand became synonymous with the recliner chair.

About the Author

Michael O'Brien is Staff Writer for HeavyDutyRecliners.com