Rocking chair

Rocking chair

A rocking chair or rocker is a type of chair with two curved bands of wood (also known as rockers) attached to the bottom of the legs (one on the left two legs and one on the right two legs). The chair contacts with the floor at only two points, giving the occupant the ability to rock back and forth by shifting his/her weight or pushing lightly with his/her feet. Many find rocking chairs soothing because of the gentle motion. Rocking chairs are also comfortable because, when a user sits in one without rocking, the chair automatically rocks backwards until the sitter's center of gravity is met, thus granting an ergonomic benefit with the occupant kept at a very unstressed position and angle. Varieties of rockers include those mounted on a spring base (or platform) called "platform rockers" and those with swinging braces commonly known as gliders.

According to an American legend, the rocking chair was purportedly invented by Ben Franklin by simply taking a standard chair and adding rockers to it. Cabinetmakers began producing rocking chairs in the early nineteenth century, and many examples from that era still survive today. Their popu larity has only increased, and antique rockers of many varieties are highly collectable today.

Rocking chairs are sometimes associated with seniority and grandparents. They are also often associated with parenting, as the gentle rocking motion often soothes and quiets a fussy infant.

ee also

*Cradle, another rocking piece of furniture
*Swing, the rocking movement comes from suspension

External links

* [http://www.designboom.com/eng/education/rockingchair.html Pictorial history of rocking chairs]


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  • rocking-chair — [ rɔkiŋ(t)ʃɛr ] n. m. • 1851; mot angl., de to rock « balancer » et chair « chaise » ♦ Anglic. Chaise, fauteuil à bascule que l on peut faire osciller d avant en arrière par un mouvement du corps. ⇒ berceuse. « Des touristes assis sur des rocking …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • rocking chair — rocking chairs N COUNT A rocking chair is a chair that is built on two curved pieces of wood so that you can rock yourself backwards and forwards when you are sitting in it …   English dictionary

  • rocking chair — ☆ rocking chair n. a chair mounted on rockers or springs, so as to allow a rocking movement …   English World dictionary

  • Rocking-chair — Rock ing chair , n. A chair mounted on rockers, in which one may rock. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • rocking chair — n a chair that has two curved pieces of wood fixed under its legs, so that it moves backwards and forwards smoothly …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • rocking chair — rocking ,chair noun count a chair that has two curved pieces under it, so that when someone sits on it they can move it backward and forward …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • rocking chair — ► NOUN ▪ a chair mounted on rockers or springs …   English terms dictionary

  • rocking chair — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms rocking chair : singular rocking chair plural rocking chairs a chair that has two curved pieces under it, so that when someone sits on it they can move it backwards and forwards …   English dictionary

  • Rocking-chair — Chaise à bascule Une chaise à bascule, appelée aussi berçante, berceuse, chaise berceuse, chaise berçante ou rocking chair, est une chaise aux pieds de laquelle sont attachées deux pièces de bois cintrées, chaque pièce de bois étant attachée aux… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Rocking chair — Chaise à bascule Une chaise à bascule, appelée aussi berçante, berceuse, chaise berceuse, chaise berçante ou rocking chair, est une chaise aux pieds de laquelle sont attachées deux pièces de bois cintrées, chaque pièce de bois étant attachée aux… …   Wikipédia en Français

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