A Short History Of School Desks
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Throughout my schooling, desks types progressed from wood and metal antique types in a one room rural schoolhouse where I started in Grade One to those constructed of modern steel tubing and plastic in my high school years.
In early years, each desk had an black ornate cast iron frame and a wooden desktop. Often carrying names and graffiti from past occupants, the sloped hardwood top had a groove for pencils and on the right, a circular hole to hold the ink bottle.
Under the desktop, a roomy storage shelf held books, notebooks and various other school necessities. Each desk unit was built with a table section. Attached in front of it was a wooden seat and back rest. These units, when ordered in rows, allowed a student to sit in the bench part of one unit and work at the table of the one in front of it.
Designed and patented by Anna Breadin in the late 1880's, this was actually quite an innovative concept in schoolroom furniture. Before it, most classrooms were filled with either rustic wood desks or long tables. Children sat either on chairs or long benches. There was no space allotted for storing school supplies.
Newer designs started to incorporate metal tubing for legs and supports, and often sported a slanted top that could be raised to access the storage space beneath it. Many of these were individual units, so were much more versatile in how they could be arranged within the classroom. Some even had a swivel seat so it was easier to sit in or arise from the desk.
In these newer models, storage space ranged from compartments under the desktop to others under the seat. Under seat storage first was comprised of a wooden drawer, rather cumbersome to open while seated. These were replaced with a wire shelf that was quite accessible.
The style of the writing surfaces also varied. The early spacious wooden surfaces gave way to less roomy ones. Some were designed with side mounting and a small writing area. Others had just enough room for a notebook and perhaps a textbook.
Nowadays, school desks are available in a huge variety of sizes and styles. Some are specifically made for small children, while others can accommodate adults. Many online school supply outlets carry them, often at quite affordable prices. Purchases can be single for individual use, or quantity for institutions.
Newer lightweight classroom furniture today is often made with laminate table tops and molded plastic seats in a combined single unit. Storage is either under the desktop or a wire shelf beneath the seat. Designed for economy, modern classroom desks have come a long way from the early models.
If you have a nostalgic bent, you may be able to find an antique school bench with ornate iron and hardwood in an antique shop or online auction site. Many other styles are displayed in museums. Historic school tables with elaborate frameworks and old style craftsmanship make an interesting display piece for any home.
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