Model 60 stacking stool explained

Designer:	Alvar Aalto
Date:	1933

The Model 60 stacking stool is a wooden stool designed by Finnish designer Alvar Aalto in 1933. Manufactured by Artek, the stool is one of Aalto's most famous furniture designs.

History

In the early 1930s Aalto undertook a series of experiments in the bending of wood, which ultimately culminated with his development of a bent wooden chair leg that could be manufactured en masse and did not require joinery.^{[1] [2]} Aalto used the chair leg, named the "L leg" in his 1933 design for the model 60 stool, which was intended for use in the Vyborg Library.^[3] Aalto notoriously tested the durability of his design by repeatedly throwing a prototype of the stool against the ground.^[4]

The design was first presented to the public in November 1933 at a Finnish design exhibition titled Wood Only at Fortnum & Mason in London. The stool has been in continuous production since its initial release in 1933.^[5]

A 1933 model of the stool was added to the permanent collection of MoMA in 1958.^[6]

Later editions

In 2017 streetwear brand Supreme released a limited edition version of the stool featuring a checkerboard pattern and red logo on the seat.

Notes and References

1. News: Design Moment: Stool 60, 1933. Harrison. Bernice. The Irish Times. en. 2019-03-27.
2. Web site: artek: the making of the patented L-shaped stool 60 by alvar aalto. 2014-01-31. designboom architecture & design magazine. en. 2019-03-27.
3. Web site: Stool 60. Alvar Aalto Foundation Alvar Aalto -säätiö. en. 2019-03-27.
4. Web site: A Brief History of Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. Luxford. Charlotte. Culture Trip. 20 March 2017 . 2019-03-27.
5. Web site: Supreme unveils chequerboard edition of Artek's iconic Aalto Stool 60. 2017-02-13. Dezeen. en. 2019-03-27.
6. Web site: Alvar Aalto. Stacking Stool (model 60). 1932-33 MoMA. The Museum of Modern Art. en. 2019-03-27.