Emeco was originally founded following a collaborative project with Alcoa to develop a seaworthy chair for submarines and warships. The Navy chairs are impervious to corrosion, non magnetic, lightweight and most importantly incredibly strong – attributes of aluminum that we have now grown to appreciate and love. By the end of the 1950s Emeco aluminum chairs outfitted all famous U.S Navy Ships and submarines including the first nuclear submarine, Nautilus. Emeco also worked hand-in-hand with the famous Walter Dorwin Teague in development of chairs for the Air Force Academy in Colorado. U.S. government became the largest purchaser of Emeco chairs following World War II through the 1970s. Eventually, the end of the cold war marked a significant decrease in the size of the U.S. military, and as a result, sales of the Navy chairs plummeted.
First built for use on submarines in 1944, the Navy Chair has been in continuous production ever since. With the famous 77 step Process, our craftsmen take soft, recycled aluminum, hand form and weld it- then temper it for strength. Finally, the chair is anodized for a durable finish. Emeco puts environmental safety at the forefront of design. Between 75% and 80% of the aluminum used in Emeco products is recycled and the estimated lifespan of most Emeco chairs is 150 years or more. Emeco guarantees the Navy Chairs for life.
In 2011 Emeco commissioned designer Philippe Starck to recreate a recycled plastic 111 Navy Chair
Frame finish: hand brushed
Frame material: recycled aluminum
Width: 15.5”
Depth: 19.5”
Height: 34”
Seat Height: 18”
Weight: 7lb
producer: emeco
period: 1944
