The Original and the Best
It all began in 1988 by reconstructing an old wood and canvas seat that I found. The rolled-up wood and canvas "thing" was tucked into a bunch of discarded items piled up in our apartment garage by a lovely gentleman of 92 years, Carl M., who was moving across country to join his new girlfriend. (I love that story!). He told me how he used the old seat for sitting on the bleachers, watching football at Iowa State University, when he was in college.
Upon investigation I found that the old seat was originally made in 1928 for rumble seats of the first motor cars and for bench-seating under The Big Top. With guidance through the manufacturing process given me by a good friend, Larry, I spent two years re-constructing, product testing, and patenting the new/old seat using innovative construction methods to add durability and functionality to the original. My utility patent was granted based on this new construction method. As a result of the way the HowdaSeat is built I have placed a lifetime guarantee on construction.
The first catalog to virtually launch the HowdaSeat nationwide was the J. Peterman Co. Catalog. The catalog was nationally famous for its charming, historic and funny advertising copy. Since each item has its own tale the HowdaSeat, certainly, had tales to tell.
One such untold tale is its possible legacy in American history starting with the Native Americans. The story goes that a seat, similar in nature to the HowdaSeat, was used as a "healing" chair for the elders seated around ceremonial fires. The belief was that wood touching the earth was sacred and wood around the back, healing.
Today, people of all ages use HowdaSeats for therapeutic back support, sitting in comfort everywhere, even at the traditional fire ceremonies held today. Yes, you will see similar-looking chairs at big-box stores and online sites, but none of them feature the quality construction and materials that go into an authentic HowdaSEAT or HowdaHUG. For example, I have found that American Basswood is the best wood to use for the slats. It is a native hardwood that grows in abundance, and is known for its clean grain, strength and flexibility.
Keeping to the historic origin of the seat, I chose to hold close to its original design features and to manufacture with the same wood and at home in New England, where the opportunity to handmake a product with care and attention to detail was of the utmost importance to me. Premium-grade canvas, with its tight weave and deeply saturated colors, stand up to years of washing, rolling, and storage.
Our promity to our manufacturer gives us the opportunity to provide constant quality control and design innovations, such as our patent-pending adjustable straps and padding which provide for both comfort and stability.
Your HowdaSEAT and HowdaHUG comes with a guarantee for your satisfaction, and a guarantee that all materials are earth-friendly. We stand by our product with pride and confidence, and appreciate your choosing us to bring a cherished, handsomely crafted product into your life.