A Transforming Mid-Century Chair, and Fun Knoll Facts

This Mid-Century chair, designer unknown, was produced by German furniture brand Wilhelm Knoll.* Called the Scissor Chair, it can perform a little trick: Underneath you can see the hinge mechanism, which is rather unsightly, and thankfully tucked away. Viewed from an ordinary angle, there’s no indication that the chair hides a transforming mechanism.*The Knolls were an enterprising line of people. See if you can keep up:- In 1865 Germany, leatherworker Wilhelm Knoll started his namesake business.- In 1907, Wilhelm’s sons Willy and Walter took over the business, and expanded it into chairmaking. Wilhelm Knoll became known as a furniture company.- In 1925 Walter broke from the company to start his own furniture business, Walter Knoll.- Walter’s son, Hans Knoll, grew up in the family business.- Walter Knoll was an enthusiastic Nazi supporter. Hans was not.- In 1937 Hans Knoll moved to New York.- In 1941 Hans, after meeting Scandinavian furniture designer Jens Risom, launched the Hans Knoll furniture company with Risom.- Unlike his Nazi pops, Hans Knoll supported the U.S. war effort by building replica German villages that the Air Force used as target practice.- In 1943, architect Florence Schust approached Hans Knoll, to convince him to work with architects and expand into interior design.- In 1946 Hans and Florence married, and the name of the company was changed to Knoll Associates.So, now you’ve got some tidbits for your next designer cocktail party.