The Panton Chair, also known as Pantonstolen in Danish, is a revolutionary piece of furniture created by the talented Danish designer Verner Panton in the 1960s. This S-shaped plastic chair holds the distinction of being the world's first molded plastic chair, making it a true masterpiece of Danish design. Its extraordinary design and influence have secured its place in the prestigious 2006 Danish Culture Canon.
A Vision Turned Reality
A Stackable Dream
The inspiration for the Panton Chair came to Verner Panton in the 1950s when he envisioned a stackable plastic chair. The idea first originated from the German architect and designer Ludwig Mies van der Rohe before World War II. Panton was captivated by a neatly stacked pile of plastic buckets, which fueled his desire to create a chair that combined form, function, and stackability. In 1956, he designed the S Chair as a precursor to the Panton Chair, featuring a continuous piece for the back, seat, and legs. It wasn't until 1965 that the vision for the Panton Chair was fully realized.
From Sketches to Reality
Panton meticulously sketched and designed the chair in the 1950s. In collaboration with Dansk Akrylteknik, he created the first model of the chair in 1960, using a plaster cast. It was during the mid-1960s that Panton met Willi Fehlbaum from the furniture manufacturer Vitra. Unlike other producers, Fehlbaum saw the potential in Panton's legless chair made entirely of plastic instead of the conventional choice of wood. Together, they perfected the design, using polyester strengthened with fiberglass for the cold-pressed model. This innovative creation marked the first chair to be designed as a single, continuous piece, entirely free of legs. It quickly gained popularity and earned the nickname "free-swinger." The chair's final version was initiated for serial production by Vitra in 1968, which was then sold by the Herman Miller Furniture Company. The material used was Baydur, a resilient polyurethane foam, available in various colors.
The Pursuit of Durability
Production of the Panton Chair came to a halt in 1979 when it became evident that the use of polystyrene as the main material was not durable enough, causing the chairs to lose their appeal over time. However, in 1983, the chair was reintroduced as the Panton Chair Classic, now constructed with more durable polyurethane structural foam. Finally, in 1999, Vitra began manufacturing the Panton Plastic Chair using polypropylene, offering a wide range of vibrant colors to cater to diverse tastes.
Exuding Exotic Appeal
The Panton Chair represents a significant contribution to the sleek and futuristic styles of the 1960s, commonly associated with the "Space Age" and Pop Art movements. Its smooth and curvaceous design captured the attention of design enthusiasts worldwide. In 1967, when the chair was first showcased in the Danish design journal Mobilia, it caused an immediate sensation. Its popularity reached new heights when it was featured in a sequence of shots in the British fashion magazine Nova, demonstrating "How to undress in front of your husband." And who can forget the iconic January 1995 cover of the British edition of Vogue, featuring the Panton Chair and a stunning naked Kate Moss, perfectly encapsulating the chair's allure.
The Panton Chair's distinctive S-shaped design continues to captivate audiences today, even inspiring adaptations using exotic materials like rattan, bamboo, and banana leaf.
A Testament to Timeless Design
The Panton Chair's enduring appeal and significance have led it to become a part of the permanent collections of renowned design museums around the world. It can be found in prestigious institutions such as New York's Museum of Modern Art, London's Design Museum, Berlin's German Historical Museum, and Copenhagen's Danish Museum of Art & Design.
Experience the Panton Chair
The Panton Chair remains a symbol of innovation and timeless design. Its vibrant presence and sculptural form make it a statement piece in any space. Whether you appreciate its historical significance or simply adore its captivating shape, the Panton Chair continues to be a testament to Verner Panton's visionary genius.
Image caption: The iconic Panton Chair, an embodiment of sleek and curvaceous design.