The Story Behind Emeco’s Navy Chair

Story Image

The Story Behind Emeco’s Navy Chair

19 Aug, 2019

There is no doubt you’ve seen Emeco’s Navy Chair before. Perhaps you’ve sat in one at a restaurant, spotted it at a hotel, or have even noticed it on television (we like to call it the go-to chair for police interrogation scenes). What you probably didn’t know about Emeco’s most ubiquitous chair though, is that it comes with a fascinating story involving World War II, submarines and American manufacturing at its finest.

In 1940, the United States government gave Emeco a big assignment: to make chairs that could withstand water, salt air, sailors and torpedo blasts. It had to be lightweight and portable, yet strong and durable. For Wilton C. Dinges, the founder of Emeco, aluminum was the obvious choice. Through its now-famous 77 steps, which takes three days of work by 12 to 14 different craftsmen, Emeco turned ordinary aluminum extraordinarily strong, creating the iconic 1006 Navy Chair. The chair was so durable, it far exceeded the Navy’s specifications. It weighed only seven pounds, but had an estimated life cycle of 150 years. This was design, engineering, material know-how and American craftsmanship at its finest.

Inside Emeco’s Factory in Hanover, Pennsylvania  |  Photo credit: Surface Mag

In the boomtown Post-War years, Emeco expanded, outfitting not only the Navy, but also federal prisons, state hospitals and government offices. Its real turning point into a modern furniture classic though, came in 1998 when Emeco’s current CEO Gregg Buchbinder purchased the company and rebranded it, working with big names like Phillippe Starck and Frank Gehry to appeal to architects, designers and commercial retailers as well.

“When I first took over Emeco, we only had sales reps who called on the US Government – Navy ships, submarines and prisons,” Buchbinder said. “The sales had dwindled down to almost nothing. I was at Emeco and I heard our customer service employee, Paulina, yelling into the phone, ‘No, I will not ship your chairs! You send the money first.’ I asked her who was on the phone and she said, ‘Somebody – Giorgio Armani.’”

Today, Emeco has evolved from a submarine chair to an unimpeachable symbol of no-nonsense ingenuity. Its design is timeless. Its form ubiquitous. It has also become one of the most knocked off chairs in the industry. But while many are able to copy the Navy Chair, none can actually duplicate it. At Emeco, the chair is literally made by hand. The triple polishing alone clocks in eight hours. The quality and durability are unbeatable. There’s even a video of the Navy Chair being thrown out of an office window to prove how resilient it is. It is this dedication to traditional craftsmanship and expertise in manufacturing that has allowed the Navy Chair to truly stand the test of time. As Buchbinder has said before, “We’re not trendy. ‘Timeless and Classic’ is always a good purchase.”

The Story Behind Emeco's Navy ChairOne of the world’s most ubiquitous chairs, Emeco’s Navy Chair can be found in restaurants, cafés and homes around the world.

Emeco’s Navy Chair receives a makeover with the release of Navy Wood Chair, available in walnut, white oak and black-stained oak.

As seen in The Dark Knight  |  Photo credit: Film And Furniture

As seen in iRobot  |  Photo credit: Film And Furniture


More from blog

Story Image
Aster Cucine: Revolutionizing Kitchens With Italian Excellence

Experience the unparalleled elegance and innovation of Aster Cucine kitchens at CHANINTR's new Ekamai showroom.

Story Image
Designer Spotlight: Rodolfo Dordoni

Celebrating the legacy of Rodolfo Dordoni in this tribute to his transformative work with Minotti. Explore the iconic collections and profound impact of this visionary designer, whose elegant creations continue to inspire and define luxury in modern furniture design.

Story Image
Bitesize BKK: Revolutionizing News Consumption in Bangkok

Discover how Bitesize BKK, a Bangkok-based news media startup, is transforming the way young, tech-savvy audiences consume news.

Story Image
Brdr. Krüger: A Symphony of Danish Heritage and Modern Craftsmanship

Get to know Brdr. Krüger's blend of Danish heritage and modern design, a testament to timeless craftsmanship. Now gracing the Chanintr Craft collection.

Story Image
The Pinnacle of Bangkok Luxury: SCOPE Langsuan Merges With CHANINTR's Finest

Experience the fusion of Bangkok's architectural marvel, SCOPE Langsuan, with CHANINTR's elite brands, crafting an unparalleled luxury living experience.

Story Image
Scandinavian Sale: The Timeless Allure of Danish Design at Chanintr Craft

Encounter the allure of Danish design at Chanintr Craft's Scandinavian Sale. Highlighting curated collections from iconic brands, embrace timeless Scandinavian elegance.

Story Image
Matsuri: Japanese Brands Summer Specials at Chanintr Craft

Celebrate the rich craftsmanship heritage and innovative spirit of Japanese artistry with us and bring home a piece of Japan's design legacy.

Story Image
Clever Closet Solutions and Tips

Discover clever closet and wardrobe organization tips to maximize space and efficiency in your home, and explore Lema's latest collection of elegant, made-to-measure solutions in our newly remodeled showroom.

Story Image
Feng Shui and Home Decor: Creating Harmony and Balance

Learn how to incorporate feng shui principles into your home decor to create a more harmonious and balanced living space, and promote health, happiness and prosperity in your home.

We use cookies to personalize content and analyze website traffic. We also share your browsing and demographic information with our social media, analytics, and advertising partners. The information does not directly identify you, but it serves to provide a more personalized experience. View our Cookie Policy here.

Privacy Preferences

You can manage your preferences below.

Allow All
Manage Consent Preferences
  • Strictly Necessary Cookies:
    Always Active

    Necessary cookies help make a website usable by enabling basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website. The website cannot function properly without these cookies.

  • Analytical Cookies

    Analytical cookies help the website owner understand how visitors interact with the website by collecting and reporting information on its usage.

  • Marketing Cookies

    Marketing cookies are used to track visitors across websites. The intention is to display ads that are relevant and engaging for the individual.

  • Unclassified Cookies

    We are in the process of classifying unclassified cookies together with the providers of the individual cookies.

Save