World's Largest Office Chair

The World's Largest Office Chair is {{convert|33|ft|1|in|m}} tall, {{convert|19|ft|7|in|m}} wide, and weighs {{convert|2,000|lb|kg}}.{{cite book|title=Guinness Book of Records|publisher=Guinness World Records|date=1983|page=167}}

Leonard "Sonny" Miller, the owner of Miller's Office Supply, sought to build the chair to attract attention to his furniture business.{{cite web|url=https://earthtripper.com/worlds-best-roadside-attractions?page=%2C5|title=World's Largest Office Chair. Alabama|work=earthTripper|accessdate=June 23, 2020}} The chair was modeled off of an office chair from The HON Company{{cite web|url=https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2443|title=World's Largest Office Chair|work=Roadside America|accessdate=June 23, 2020}} with the dimensions of the chair converted from inches to feet. Construction of the chair took place in 1981 at the empty lot next to the furniture showroom.{{cite web|url=https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-worlds-largest-chair|title=How the U.S. Lost the Title for the World's Largest Chair|author=Kavya Ray Mohan|work=Atlas Obscura|date=June 22, 2017|accessdate=June 23, 2020}} The chair was built using 10 tons of steel,{{cite web|url=https://www.al.com/life-and-culture/g66l-2019/10/60b4ebdad11326/7-worlds-largest-things-you-can-see-in-alabama.html|title=7 world's largest things you can see in Alabama|website=AL.com|last=Kazek|first=Kelly|date=October 7, 2019|accessdate=June 23, 2020}} 15 tons of cement,{{cite web|url=https://sillyamerica.com/blog/best-alabama-roadside-attractions/#2_World%E2%80%99s_Largest_Office_Chair|title=The 15 Best Alabama Roadside Attractions|website=sillyamerica.com|accessdate=June 23, 2020}} and can withstand {{convert|85|mph|adj=on}} winds. A spiral staircase was also built to bring people up to the {{convert|15|ft|m|adj=on}} square seat.{{cite web|url=https://www.thegardnernews.com/article/20100401/NEWS/304019235|title=Gardner out to reclaim 'World's Largest Chair' title for 225th|last=Richard|first=Mike|work=The Gardner News|date=April 1, 2010|accessdate=June 23, 2020}} Construction of the chair was completed in May 1981.

In 1982, the chair was certified by Guinness World Records as the world's largest chair.{{cite web|url=https://www.chairoffice.co.uk/blog/worlds-largest-office-chair/|title=The World's Largest Office Chair, Now an American Roadside Attraction|work=Chair Office Blog|accessdate=June 23, 2020}} Despite claims that the chair was officially recognized as the world's largest office chair,{{cite web|url=https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/alabama/world-records-al/|title=10 Strange But Totally True World Records Held By Alabama|work=Only In Your State|date=July 11, 2016|accessdate=June 23, 2020}} this record was never recognized by Guinness World Records and a sign displayed on the chair only lists it official recognition as the world's largest chair in 1982. Despite the recognition as the world's largest chair by Guinness, Bassett Furniture built a {{convert|20.25|ft|m|adj=on}} Mission chair under the claim of the world's largest chair until the city of Anniston publicly refuted the company. Bassett Furniture then altered the claim on their chair to the "world's largest chair the on tour".{{cite book|author=Bathroom Readers' Institute|title=Uncle John's Unstoppable Bathroom Reader|publisher=Portable Press|date=2012|page=324}} In 1995, the title of world's largest chair was passed to a seven-story chair in Manzano, Italy,{{cite book|last=Duncan|first=Andy|title=Alabama Curiosities: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities & Other Offbeat Stuff|publisher=Morris Publishing|date=2009|page=48}} but the Anniston chair unofficially retained the title of the world's largest office chair.{{cite web|url=https://www.al.com/living/2012/11/alabama_has_really_big_stuff_o.html|title=Alabama has some Really Big Things on its roadsides, including a few 'world's largest'|website=AL.com|last=Kazek|first=Kelly|date=November 7, 2012|accessdate=June 23, 2020}}

After the chair was built, it became a major landmark for the city of Anniston. The chamber of commerce would fly visiting businessmen over the chair. During the 1990s, Miller's moved across town with the lot housing the chair placed up for sale. The spiral staircase to the seat was also removed.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsu.edu/depart/library/graphic/alabama.htm|title=Alabama|work=Jacksonville State University|date=October 1, 1998|accessdate=June 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050905052610/http://www.jsu.edu/depart/library/graphic/alabama.htm|archive-date=September 5, 2005|url-status=dead}} After years of little maintenance, the chair became weathered and rusty. Years later, Miller's moved back to its original location, and the chair was repainted.

The world's largest chair is located in Austria, and was created by the furniture store XXXLutz. It is used in XXXLutz commercials featuring the Putz Family, a fictional family who has appeared in commercials since 1998.{{Cite web |title=Largest chair |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/78765-largest-chair |access-date= |website=Guinness World Records |language=}}

The World's Largest Office Chair appeared on the fourth episode of The Amazing Race: Family Edition.{{cite book|last=Castro|first=Adam-Troy|title=My Ox Is Broken!: Roadblocks, Detours, Fast Forwards and Other Great Moments from Tv's 'the Amazing Race'|publisher=BenBella Books|date=2006|page=366}}{{cite web|url=https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/the-schroeder-family-becomes-fourth-team-eliminated-from-the-amazing-race-family-edition-3765.php|title=The Schroeder family becomes the fourth team eliminated from 'The Amazing Race: Family Edition'|work=Reality TV World|last=Sellers|first=Andrea|date=October 19, 2005|accessdate=June 20, 2020}}

• List of largest roadside attractions

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• {{official website|https://www.millersofficefurniture.com/history}}

Category:1981 establishments in Alabama

Category:Anniston, Alabama

Category:Tourist attractions in Calhoun County, Alabama