However, the idea that Thonet would make such products is actually not such an odd one after all, as early winter sports equipment, just like the famous 214 coffee house chair (previously the No. 14), was made from bent wood.
A catalogue from 1904 shows pictures of the products themselves and also includes instructions on how to use the equipment. The instructions for the kick sledge read as follows: “The sledge consists of two long, thin runners with a post and handlebar in the middle; the front half of the sledge has a bench-like seat while the back has foot plates fitted directly to the runners for the rider to stand on. How to ride the sledge is then self-explanatory: the rider fastens the crampons to his shoes and keeps a firm grip on the handlebar attached to the posts. He then stands with one foot positioned on the runner, and uses the other foot to push off with a long, powerful kick.”
Thonet winter sports products were offered in a range of different models: various bindings for skis, poles made of beech or ash wood and sledges with a backrest or footrest.
Today, we still offer our products in a range of different models, albeit now for settings a long way away from the slopes. The S 32/S 64 chair, for example, comes in a canework model, one with synthetic mesh, an upholstered version and even a combination variant (upholstered seat, canework or synthetic mesh back).
