{{Short description|Multi-functional piece of furniture}} {{distinguish|chair step}} thumb|upright=1.5|Composite photo of a step chair, of the common diagonal-side-cut type. The chair is shown facing in the same direction, once folded into a chair, and once folded into a set of steps, such that the top of the chair back touches the floor. A '''step chair''', also called a '''ladder chair''', a '''library chair''', a '''convertible chair''' or a '''Franklin chair''', is a piece of furniture which folds to become either a chair or a small set of steps or stairs. Building one (usually in the diagonal-side-cut style) is a popular DIY project.<ref name="popmech">{{cite web |last1=Barrett |first1=Neal |title=How to Build a Step Stool: Simple DIY Woodworking Project |url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to-plans/how-to/a2186/4226197/ |website=Popular Mechanics |date=12 October 2007}}</ref><ref name=woodworker>{{cite web |last1=Marshall |first1=Chris |title=Project Plan {{!}} Convertible Step Stool Chair {{!}} Woodworking |url=https://www.woodworkersjournal.com/build-convertible-step-stool-chair/ |website=Woodworker's journal |date=8 September 2014}} ([https://www.woodworkersjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/WJC139StepStoolChair.pdf PDF with plans]</ref><ref name=Remodelaholic>{{cite web |author=Scott <!-- no last name given --> |title=DIY Ladder Chair - A Modern Twist on an American Classic |url=https://www.remodelaholic.com/diy-ladder-chair-modern-twist-american-classic/ |website=Remodelaholic |date=9 December 2017}}</ref>
It is sometimes claimed that these chairs were designed by Benjamin Franklin.{{citation needed|date=August 2019}} Franklin himself preferred to sit in a step chair he designed for his own library. This chair folded in a slightly different way from the common diagonal-side-cut step chair; the seat flips up, resting against the reclined back of the chair, and forming three steps; one formerly hidden under and parallel to the seat, and two attached vertically along the seat's front edge and midline.<ref>{{cite web |title=Library chair with folding steps |url=http://www.benfranklin300.org/frankliniana/result.php?id=51 |website=www.benfranklin300.org |publisher=The Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary (Exhibition) |date=1760–1780 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516184806/http://www.benfranklin300.org/frankliniana/result.php?id=51 |archivedate=2021-05-16}}</ref>
A variant form has a third position, in which the back of the chair becomes an ironing-board.<ref>{{cite web |title=14-1302. - Bachelors Chair Woodworking Plan |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100122135058/http://www.woodworkersworkshop.com/store/Bachelors_Chair.html |archivedate=2010-01-22|url=http://www.woodworkersworkshop.com/store/Bachelors_Chair.html|date=22 January 2010|website=Woodworker's journal}}</ref> This design was common in the 1700s, but was revived in the 1990s.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rohrlich |first1=Marianne |title=Currents; CONTRAPTION -- Step Right This Way (Or That Way) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/04/garden/currents-contraption-step-right-this-way-or-that-way.html |website=The New York Times |date=4 June 1998}}</ref> It has been described as suitable for small apartments. Its design is sometimes attributed to Thomas Jefferson, and thus called a '''Jefferson chair'''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zimmer |first1=Lori |title=The Bachelor Chair is a Step Stool, Seat and Ironing Board All in One |url=https://inhabitat.com/the-bachelor-chair-is-a-step-stool-seat-and-ironing-board-all-in-one/ |date=Apr 1, 2011}}</ref> This type is also known as '''three-in-one chair''', '''bachelor chair''', or '''onit chair'''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bachelor, Jefferson, Folding, Ironing Board, Step Stool, Chair |url=https://www.cottagecraftworks.com/ironing-board-chair |website=www.cottagecraftworks.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ironing Board Step Stool {{!}} Collectors' Concerns {{!}} Kovels Komments |url=https://www.kovels.com/collectors-concerns/ironing-board-step-stool.html |website=www.kovels.com}}</ref>
thumb|left|A type of step chair in which the seat folds to form the top and side faces of an extra step, and a support slides in beneath it
==See also== * Monks bench, multi-functional furniture that can switch between being used as a bench or a table * Metamorphic library steps, furniture that converts from a small set of steps to a chair or desk * Step stool, combined stool and small set of steps or stair
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==References== {{commons category}} {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{cite thesis |last1=Taylor |first1=Clive |title=The Regency Period Metamorphic Library Chair |date=2009 |url=http://parboldantiques.com/PDFs/Library.pdf}}<!--contains some thumbnails of PD art that may be on Commons and should be categorized, but sadly the thesis isn't CC-BY-SA-licensed-->
Category:Chairs Category:Stairs Category:Mechanical furniture
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