The Thonet Brothers / August Thonet

Place: Boppard

Born: 1796

Death: 1871

Biography:

The Thonet brothers, also known as August Thonet, were a family of German-Austrian cabinet makers, known for the invention of bentwood furniture. The most famous member of the family was Michael Thonet, who was born in Boppard, Germany in 1796. He moved to Vienna, Austria in 1842 and began experimenting with new methods of bending and shaping wood. In 1859, he patented a process for bending solid wood into curved shapes, which allowed him to create lightweight and durable furniture. The Thonet brothers' designs were characterized by their simplicity, functionality, and elegance, and they quickly became popular around the world. Michael Thonet died in Vienna in 1871, but the Thonet company continued to produce furniture under the leadership of his sons and grandsons. The company is still in operation today, and it is considered one of the most important and influential furniture manufacturers in history.