White Rocking Chair
Was Benjamin Franklin the real inventor of the rocking chair? Until the time machine is invented we will never know who built the first rocking chair. History does tell us that the rocking chair originated in the early 18th century in North America. The “rocker” was used mostly as garden chairs.
Rocking chairs are just plain old relaxing to sit in. It is a fact that when a body is planted in a rocking chair, the chair automatically pitches itself to the individual’s center of gravity. This balanced position is relaxing and takes away body stress. Once in this balanced state, rocking simply begins by naturally moving the head and shoulders or with a mild push of the legs and feet – no instructions are needed.
Rocking chairs are perfect for reading the newspaper or your favorite book. The smooth and gentle glide makes easy to watch TV or even turn on the music and get a double dose of relaxation through the rocking motion of the rocker and your favorite music. And of course, rocking chairs are perfect for mother and baby as it can calm and quiet noisy and fussy infants. At the same time, mom is able to sit and relax.
Since the time of Benjamin Franklin, many varieties of rocking chairs and colors have been designed and manufactured. The most common and the least expensive are the original rocking chairs. This is a typical chair with two curved bands of wood instead of legs. Other rocking chairs include platform rockers and glider rockers. Platform and glider rockers do not have the curved bands of wood that allow the chair to rock back and forth. Instead they are built on a stationary base and the rocking movement is performed within the base. This allows a more compact area for rocking. Also because the base is stationary there are no pinch points, unlike the original rockers. Platform and glider rocking chairs are more popular with families with small children.
The most popular construction material of rockers is wood. Whether stained or painted, rocking chairs are a great addition to the furniture collection in the living room, bedroom, den, or family room. Rocking chairs come in all sizes including small rockers for the young ones to adult sizes. There are removable cushion sets to improve on comfort and can be cleaned when soiled. And if you want to be real fancy, footstools are available that can match the rocking chair. By the way, the footstools can be stationary and also rock just like a rocking chair.
A good old fancy rocker is a piece of furniture everyone should have in their home. Besides the fact that rocking chairs add some style to the home, they are a joy to sit in and relax in after a long and stressful day.