American history is full of stories of influential, resilient, powerful black people doing amazing things. Among these stories is that of Nathaniel Alexander, an African American inventor who patented the first folding chair in 1911. This seemingly simple invention has taken on a life of its own, becoming a symbol of strength, unity, and liberation.
The Invention of the Folding Chair
Nathaniel Alexander, a resident of Lynchburg, Virginia, applied for a patent for his folding chair design on March 4, 1911, with the hopes of these being used in church and schools. While Alexander’s design wasn’t the first folding chair, it was a significant contribution. Moses S. Beach of Brooklyn, New York, filed a patent application in 1857 for his design of a folding pew seat on a hinge, and Joseph F. A. Spaet, William F. Berry, and James T. Snoddy of Iowa filed a patent application in 1888 for the design of a portable, collapsable chair with folding brackets that flatten the back and legs against the seat. The most recognizable form of the folding chair appears to have been invented by Ralph W. Dick in 1932 (and patent approved by 1933) on behalf of the Louis Rastetter & Sons furniture company based in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Folding Chairs in Everyday Life
Children use folding chairs in After School during snack time, playing chess with each other, reading, and doing homework. And why a folding chair is always a good thing to have.
The Montgomery Brawl and the Folding Chair
The Montgomery Alabama Riverfront brawl that unfolded when a group of White men attacked the Black co-captain of a riverboat over access to a parking spot last Saturday, August 5, ignited a fervent response from various bystanders who quickly jumped into action. The scene garnered international headlines and memes aplenty, as social media users celebrate the 16-year-old “Black Aquaman” who swam to the scene to defend the co-captain and everyone else who joined forces.
But the Internet has appointed the unnamed Black man equipped with a white folding chair as the most iconic fighter of the brawl, and the chair motif was quickly adapted into a variety of memes, fan art, merchandise, and even a tattoo. Overnight, the folding chair has become the emblem of the brawl that called so many to action in defense of a Black man who was abused for simply doing his job - and also a broader echo (both serious and unserious) of Black strength, unity, and liberation in the face of centuries of White brutality that enabled this violent attack to kick off in the first place.
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The Folding Chair as a Symbol
Ever since the folding chair has taken on a life of its own. There are numerous memes all over social media showing Black people using folding chairs to fend off attacks from white people - real and imaginary. Some people aren’t leaving home without a folding chair anymore. And others are doing self-defense classes using the folding chair as a weapon to counterattack.
Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman in Congress and presidential candidate running for nomination in a major party, even cited the humble folding chair in her famous quote referencing the need to make space for oneself rather than waiting for an invitation to join: “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” Looks like a lot of people took Chisholm’s words to heart … The chair has since been superimposed over images of civil rights activists like Harriet Tubman and Martin Luther King Jr.
Many have pointed out that what brought the brawl meme frenzy full circle is that a design of a folding chair was patented in 1911 by a Black American inventor named Nathaniel Alexander. (Note: The photo that’s being used in related memes is actually a photo of Black inventor Lewis Howard Latimer. Not much is known of Alexander other than the fact that he was a resident of Lynchburg, Virginia, but he applied for a patent for his folding chair design on March 4, 1911.
Other Black Inventors
From the chairs we sit on to the walkie talkies we use to keep children safe, many of the items we use in after school were invented by Black inventors. John Lee Love invented the hand-cranked pencil sharpener in 1894. Without his invention, we wouldn’t have electric pencil sharpeners today that allow children to keep their pencils sharp for drawing, doing homework and working on projects. In 1890, William Purvis invented improvements in the fountain pen leading to ball point pens we use today. Staff use pens every day in program for taking attendance, and parents use those same pens to sign their children out of program at the end of the day. Children also use pens for doodling, making crafts, writing stories, and other fun projects. James E. West invented the electret microphone technology in 1964 that is used in walkie talkies. Walkie talkies are an important piece of safety during After School. Garrett Morgan was the first Black man to own a car in Cleveland and also the person who invented the stop light in 1923.
A History Of Racism Against Black Inventors
In light of Black history’s role in the evolution of the folding chair and its symbolism, I think we can agree with Phil Lewis’s tweet - it does belong in a museum.
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