The Davenport is a piece of furniture that gained popularity during the late 19th century and turned into a "generic" term of sorts in some parts of the country by the early 20th century.
In America, it originally denoted a sofa that was rather square looking with a high back and arms. The style, resembling a box in many ways, developed around the turn of the century. It's named for the A.H. Davenport Co. of Boston.
Soon the term came to be used with any sofa or couch, especially in upstate New York and the Midwest. In fact, the term was so popular, that when sofa-beds were first introduced they were dubbed "davenport beds."
But, there is really more to the story. The Kroehler Company of Naperville, IL became the first furniture company to actually patent a sofa containing a hidden mattress and springs in 1909. This type of sofa was so popular, in fact, that the word davenport came to mean any foldout bed.
The British have an even different meaning for davenport—it’s nowhere near a sofa! In fact, their davenport was a small desk, one with a slanted or pull-out top. It also contained a row of drawers down one or both sides.
Originally, the term was used to describe a simple chest of drawers with a swivel top. But as the piece of furniture evolved, it was made with hidden compartments and various cubbyholes of sorts.
This davenport originates from the 1790s. Developed by a furniture firm called Gillow's based in Lancaster, England. The name itself comes from the name of the company's client, believe it or not, a "Captain Davenport." If Captain Davenport wanted this unique piece of furniture for a specific reason, it's lost in history.
In America, it originally denoted a sofa that was rather square looking with a high back and arms. The style, resembling a box in many ways, developed around the turn of the century. It's named for the A.H. Davenport Co. of Boston.Soon the term came to be used with any sofa or couch, especially in upstate New York and the Midwest. In fact, the term was so popular, that when sofa-beds were first introduced they were dubbed "davenport beds."
But, there is really more to the story. The Kroehler Company of Naperville, IL became the first furniture company to actually patent a sofa containing a hidden mattress and springs in 1909. This type of sofa was so popular, in fact, that the word davenport came to mean any foldout bed.
The British have an even different meaning for davenport—it’s nowhere near a sofa! In fact, their davenport was a small desk, one with a slanted or pull-out top. It also contained a row of drawers down one or both sides.
Originally, the term was used to describe a simple chest of drawers with a swivel top. But as the piece of furniture evolved, it was made with hidden compartments and various cubbyholes of sorts.
This davenport originates from the 1790s. Developed by a furniture firm called Gillow's based in Lancaster, England. The name itself comes from the name of the company's client, believe it or not, a "Captain Davenport." If Captain Davenport wanted this unique piece of furniture for a specific reason, it's lost in history.
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