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- La-Z-Boy Chair Company Sales Model "Reclina Rocker" Chair, 1961 - The first to combine a built-in ottoman with a rocking feature, this model dramatically increased La-Z-Boy's sales in the early 1960s. Middle class Americans eagerly adopted the chair for use in dens, family and living rooms. This chair served as William M. Clary's La-Z-Boy salesman sample, traveling the country from dealer to dealer.
- 1961
- Collections - Artifact
La-Z-Boy Chair Company Sales Model "Reclina Rocker" Chair, 1961
The first to combine a built-in ottoman with a rocking feature, this model dramatically increased La-Z-Boy's sales in the early 1960s. Middle class Americans eagerly adopted the chair for use in dens, family and living rooms. This chair served as William M. Clary's La-Z-Boy salesman sample, traveling the country from dealer to dealer.
- "La-Z-Boy Reclina-Rocker" Advertising Brochure, 1961-1970 -
- 1961-1970
- Collections - Artifact
"La-Z-Boy Reclina-Rocker" Advertising Brochure, 1961-1970
- La-Z-Boy Reclina-Rocker Advertising Poster for Father's Day Sale, 1975 -
- 1975
- Collections - Artifact
La-Z-Boy Reclina-Rocker Advertising Poster for Father's Day Sale, 1975
- Technological Innovations at La-Z-Boy - In 1927, Edwin Shoemaker and Edward Knabusch -- cousins with a shared interest in building things -- founded a furniture-making business. Their ambition to create new products (and to improve upon existing ones) became a defining characteristic of the company. This group of artifacts represents La-Z-Boy's history of innovation motivated by consumers' ever-changing tastes and demands.
- February 07, 2019
- Collections - Set
Technological Innovations at La-Z-Boy
In 1927, Edwin Shoemaker and Edward Knabusch -- cousins with a shared interest in building things -- founded a furniture-making business. Their ambition to create new products (and to improve upon existing ones) became a defining characteristic of the company. This group of artifacts represents La-Z-Boy's history of innovation motivated by consumers' ever-changing tastes and demands.
- La-Z-Boy Reclina-Rocker Advertisement in Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, April 1968 - La-Z-Boy hired illustrators to depict scenes of domestic bliss to promote their brand. This ad from the 1960s shows dad after a hard day's work sinking into the "glove-soft vinyl that complements the inimitable relaxing comfort of this La-Z-Boy Reclina-Rocker." And according to the late-1960s ad copy, moms liked it too -- not for the comfort, she's "more interested in the attractive style."
- April 01, 1968
- Collections - Artifact
La-Z-Boy Reclina-Rocker Advertisement in Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, April 1968
La-Z-Boy hired illustrators to depict scenes of domestic bliss to promote their brand. This ad from the 1960s shows dad after a hard day's work sinking into the "glove-soft vinyl that complements the inimitable relaxing comfort of this La-Z-Boy Reclina-Rocker." And according to the late-1960s ad copy, moms liked it too -- not for the comfort, she's "more interested in the attractive style."
- Marketing La-Z-Boy - La-Z-Boy co-founder Edward Knabusch concentrated his attention on marketing, through both traditional media and his unique approaches. Though the message evolved, advertising remained a central focus throughout the company’s history. These artifacts represent a range of La-Z-Boy's marketing strategies, including showroom displays, advertisements, and special promotions.
- February 07, 2019
- Collections - Set
Marketing La-Z-Boy
La-Z-Boy co-founder Edward Knabusch concentrated his attention on marketing, through both traditional media and his unique approaches. Though the message evolved, advertising remained a central focus throughout the company’s history. These artifacts represent a range of La-Z-Boy's marketing strategies, including showroom displays, advertisements, and special promotions.
- La-Z-Boy Chair Company Monticello Reclining Chair, 1964-1965 - Cousins and La-Z-Boy co-founders Edwin Shoemaker and Edward Knabusch combined technical knowledge with marketing savvy to create a unique furniture company. Yet, not all of La-Z-Boy's strategies succeeded. The "Americana Collection," which included the "Monticello" recliner, was an attempt to combine early American styles with modern aesthetics. The line fell flat with customers, who preferred either modern or historical styles.
- 1964-1965
- Collections - Artifact
La-Z-Boy Chair Company Monticello Reclining Chair, 1964-1965
Cousins and La-Z-Boy co-founders Edwin Shoemaker and Edward Knabusch combined technical knowledge with marketing savvy to create a unique furniture company. Yet, not all of La-Z-Boy's strategies succeeded. The "Americana Collection," which included the "Monticello" recliner, was an attempt to combine early American styles with modern aesthetics. The line fell flat with customers, who preferred either modern or historical styles.
- La-Z-Boy Chair Company Reclining Chair and Ottoman, 1941 - This reclining chair was one of the first upholstered chairs produced by La-Z-Boy co-founders Edwin Shoemaker and Edward Knabusch. The earliest La-Z-Boys featured a patented reclining system and included a separate ottoman. Later technical refinements would produce a built-in footrest, eliminating the need for an ottoman and leading to the modern La-Z-Boy recliner.
- 1941
- Collections - Artifact
La-Z-Boy Chair Company Reclining Chair and Ottoman, 1941
This reclining chair was one of the first upholstered chairs produced by La-Z-Boy co-founders Edwin Shoemaker and Edward Knabusch. The earliest La-Z-Boys featured a patented reclining system and included a separate ottoman. Later technical refinements would produce a built-in footrest, eliminating the need for an ottoman and leading to the modern La-Z-Boy recliner.
- Early La-Z-Boy Chairs Showroom Display, 1940 - La-Z-Boy furniture showrooms featured artful displays that presented a variety of styles and fabrics available for reclining chairs--the core of the business. Signage and displays emphasized comfort, inviting customers to sit down and test "the world's most comfortable chair" for themselves.
- 1940
- Collections - Artifact
Early La-Z-Boy Chairs Showroom Display, 1940
La-Z-Boy furniture showrooms featured artful displays that presented a variety of styles and fabrics available for reclining chairs--the core of the business. Signage and displays emphasized comfort, inviting customers to sit down and test "the world's most comfortable chair" for themselves.
- La-Z-Boy Chair Company Reclining Sofette, 1970 - The modern conception of the La-Z-Boy recliner came about through the introduction of the "Reclina-Rocker" in 1961. It was an immediate hit. With its success, La-Z-Boy began production of other forms of reclining seating, like this sofette.
- 1970
- Collections - Artifact
La-Z-Boy Chair Company Reclining Sofette, 1970
The modern conception of the La-Z-Boy recliner came about through the introduction of the "Reclina-Rocker" in 1961. It was an immediate hit. With its success, La-Z-Boy began production of other forms of reclining seating, like this sofette.