Bend it or break it!

"Bend it or break it" was the motto of Michael Thonet during his lifetime. The Boppard native is regarded as a pioneer in furniture production; his bentwood technique revolutionized furniture design because bending solid wood was revolutionary in the 19th century and has not lost any of its fascination to this day.


Though the chair consists of just six parts that need to be manufactured and assembled, a total of 124 steps are required to transform it into the elegant final product of the classic Viennese coffeehouse chair. The film demonstrates this process, a wood mechanic, showcasing the creation of the iconic coffeehouse chair No. 214.

Footnotes: 
Text and photos: thonet.de

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209 Chaise, Natural beech varnished - Thonet - Thonet Design Team - Furniture by Designcollectors

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