Hardwood and cast iron antique school desks filled classrooms in rural schools many years ago Today, modern ones constructed of high tech plastics and steel tubing are the most common schoolroom type of furniture.
My earliest memory of school desks is of those with ornately designed cast iron frames and a wooden top. The slightly slanted hardwood top, often decorated with names and doodles of past occupants, had a long groove to hold pencils and pens and a circular hole that was just the right size to hold a special bottle of ink.
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.
This elaborately designed desk type was made in the US around 1880. Designed by Anna Breadin, it was for its time, a new and exciting concept for school furniture. Previously, most schools used very rustic wood desks or even tables with either chairs or attached benches that several students would sit at. There was no place to hold pencils, slates or books.
In the early 1900′s, new designs that were more lightweight and convenient to use and move started appearing. Steel tubing was used for a framework, supporting the slanted wood tops with shelves beneath. Often seats were attached, so each student had their own desk. Some seats even swiveled, making seating easier. It was much easier to arrange these within the classroom.
Storage of belongings, always a necessity in the classroom, ranged from under the desktop to under the seat. Some under-the seat storage entailed a wooden drawer, heavy and difficult to open from a sitting position. Others had a much easier to access wire basket, open on the side.
The writing surfaces were made in different sizes. Breadin designs had hardwood tops of sufficient size to hold both notebooks and texts. As more modern ones came into use, desktop size often decreased. Some had side mounted tablet tops with considerably less space for the student to write.
Today, school desks can be found in a great many styles and sizes. From ones designed for small children to those that fit a tall adult, almost size or style can be purchased. Online specialty stores carry a huge selection at reasonable prices.
Much of today’s classroom furniture integrates modern materials such as high tech laminates. Open front storage is popular, and many are self contained lightweight units. Comfortable molded plastic seats have replaced wooden bench seats, and wire book racks beneath the seats are usually part of the unit. The table tops range in size from full sized to tablet sized.
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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