Sacco 1968, designed by :Piero Gatti, Cesare Paolini and Franco Teodoro [1] A b is a large fabric bag, filled with polystyrene beads (Sacco chair), [2] dried beans, or a similar substance. [3] The product is an example of an ‘anatomic chair’. [1] The shape of the object is set by the user. Although designed to be a chair, due to its amorphous nature it is often confused with tuffets and ottomans. b, [1] the first artifact of that kind, was introduced in 1968 by three Italian designers: Piero Gatti, Cesare Paolini and Franco Teodoro. [1] The object was created in the Italian Modernism movement. [4] Being a post war era phenomenon, Italian modernism’s design was highly inspired with new available technology. Post war technology allowed an increase in the processes of production, by introducing new materials such as polystyrene. The idea of mass-produced goods made within an inexpensive price range appealed to consumers. It therefore created the need for a revolution in the creative and manufacturing process.

‘The designer was an integral member of a process that included marketing as well as engineering’ (Raizman 284). folding deck chairs canada[4] The inspiration left by Corradino D’Ascano’s Vespa design for the Piaggio Corporation in 1946, added value to the essence of the designer. garden swing chairs hammocksWith successful designs, brands could sell more products, and therefore the identity of the designer played an important advertising role. office desk chair slipcover[4] Another important figure of the Italian modernism period was Gio Ponti. tan leather chair ebayInspired by modernism's art movements, Ponti created new forms of objects. waiting room chair hire

His asymmetrically balanced designs freed the Italian objects form their classic representations. chair cover rentals vermontThe designer promoted Italian designs on famous exhibitions called ‘Milan Triennale’ : “These exhibitions, organized as early as the 1920s … were responsible for increasing the visibility of Italian design in an international setting ” (Raizman 285). hay about a chair rosa[4] After becoming an editor of the Domus (magazine) in 1947, Ponti contributed to not only Italian design of that time, but also : “the human and creative element in modern industrial design as well as its practical, economic and social benefits.”ikea chair cover cushion Piero Gatti, Cesare Paolini and Franco Teodoro, inspired by their designer predecessors, came up in 1968 with the design of Sacco the ‘shapeless chair’. office chair for guitar players

Although it was not the first design of an amorphous chair in Italian history, Sacco was the first successful product created in partnership with Zanotta. The predecessor of the product called “Blow” had a major design flaw of not being able to sustain its form and therefore never reached production. Sacco picked up that flaw and with the use of leather for exterior and right placed stitching. It is worth mentioning that the use of leather was not coincidental as at that time the textile was an Italian national pride product. [4] The target user of the chair was the lax, hippie community and their non-conformist household. "In an era characterized by the hippie culture, apartment sharing and student demonstrations, the thirty-something designers created a nonpoltrona (non-chair) and thus launched an attack on good bourgeois taste." Actor-network theory [5] analysis of Sacco As mentioned before, Italian modernism redefined some classic design models into new, more functional products.

Sacco’s design was aimed at mass-media consumption. Its light weight and flexible nature allowed easy shipping. The bean bag chair consisted of a leather exterior that at the same time was a vessel for polystyrene beds. The idea of the design was for the product to shape around the user. Therefore, following the ANT method, the user of the bean bag artifact became the integral part of the objects’ agency. In comparison, a classic ‘chair’ design, can still act as a chair without the user’s input. The network of such an object functions around the designer, producer, manufacturer and user, but for its agency (acting) does not need the user. Sacco on the other hand, cannot fully function as a chair without the user, as the user gives it the final shape. Thanks to its flexibility the object can act as a stool, futon or a pillow. Since it was not the aim of its design this would be considered an anti-program use of the object. Other designers have followed the ‘shapeless’ chair design, creating a range of inspired products that take after Sacco.

[6] Amongst many, the most successful contemporary model would be Jukka Setala’s Fatboy. The product launched in 2002 brought the Finnish designer global recognition. The new form of the bean bag chair has less stitching and a more geometrical take in the means of shape. It has also a EPS filling which is more durable than PVC. ^ a b c d e ^ a b c d e fThe History of the bean bag Everyone, at some point in their life has sat in a bean bag chair, and most of you have probably wondered how on earth they came about? Who originally came up with the idea to put polystyrene beans into a bag, and how did they became popular? In this blog, the team at Kloudsac looks back into the history of the much loved bean bag. The Sea Urchin Chair There is much debate as to whether or not the Sea Urchin chair is in fact a predecessor of the bean bag. The Sea Urchin Chair was designed by Roger Dean while he was still in the Royal College of Art in 1967. It was one of the first chairs which adapted completely to the user.

The Urchin consisted of twelve sections of foam, which were glued together and covered with various types of fur. Although the Urchin helped develop the idea for the beanbag chair, some people debate the fact is was even anything more than a modified Futon. The Sacco (or Socco) The bean bag chair we know today first came into existence in 1969. The Italian firm of Zanotta commissioned the designer Paolini to come up with a creative, aesthetically appealing and very comfortable chair. Cost, ease of maintenance, and appeal to the flower power generation of buyers we of key importance. They needed a chair that was stylish, practical, and fit with the ’60s lifestyle. The designers came up with the Sacco or the Socco as it became known overseas. The original Sacco’s were pear shaped leather bags. The Sacco’s were initially filled with thermocol pellets but after a few years  they were replaced with polystyrene beads. This new chair became a very popular item because the Sacco was the first chair to adjust to the person sitting in it.

Although unconfirmed, it is rumoured that the Sacco was actually discovered by accident. This discovery came from a Styrofoam factory that put all the leftover pieces from the production line in a bag. It is said that factory workers would sit on these bags during their coffee and cigarette breaks.. The Sacco became an overnight sensation, and was one of the most popular icons of the 1970’s. As the Sacco placed the user close to the floor and allowed a variety of lounging positions, it met the casual social lifestyle of the times. The ’70s Bean Bag Chairs The 1970’s bean bag chairs as we know them today made their way into department stores around the world. The bean-bag chairs of the 70’s were very much like the high-quality bean bag chairs you will find today – they were made of durable leather and filled with polystyrene beans. The bean bag was so popular because consumers liked that the chair moulded to each individual users body shape. Professional decorators and interior designers of the times liked the lightweight, flexible nature of bean bag chairs.

Therapists and carers observed that the bean bag chair helped children with sensory-integration troubles. Additionally, doctors recommended bean bag chairs for patients who were recovering from back surgery. The ’90s Bean Bag Chairs During the ’90s, the bean bag chair underwent a revolution, from a traditional tear shape or a ‘blob’, to coming in lots of different shapes and sizes. A variety of different styles of bean bag chairs made their way into the marketplace, such as bean bag sofas, recliners, and beds. The 90’s also saw safety improvements and changes made to the bean bag. They were made more childproof, mainly through childproof zips being added to a bean bag. This resulted after a number of children were injured and even suffocated to death after crawling inside the older style of bean bag chairs and inhaling the beans. In March 1995, bean bag safety became law. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled 12,000,000 bean bag chairs and required all chairs sold after that date to have zippers that were childproof.

Today’s Bean Bag Chairs Bean Bags in today’s market come in all different shapes, sizes and fabrics, and cater for every buyer in the market. From high-end fabrics and designs, to cheaper, more affordable bean bags with less durable and cheaper fabrics, there’s something for everyone and every use. You can even put your bean bag in the pool! The biggest change to the bean bag market of recent times comes through Kloudsac. Replacing beans with a mix we call ‘DreamFoam’, Kloudsac has perfected the bean bag chair. No more noise, no more re-fills, Kloudsac’s come full, and stay full. They never go flat! Aside from traditional bean fillings going flat, the other big issue with them is that the zips and seams would wear, and the beanbag would eventually pop! Kloudsac’s shredded foam filling compacts and moulds around the users body, unlike beans that push to the sides and wreck the beanbags seams and zips – this ensures your Kloudsac will last forever. You can still find traditional bean bags in the market;