History & Design of Our Ergonomic Office Furniture

How did the Stance® and TaskMate™ find their way into the office? The way innovations usually come into this world: from a catalytic meeting of passionate minds and disciplined talent. Fueled by synergism, hopefulness—and plenty of coffee on the way back to the drawing board.

In 1997, Jack Hockenberry, an internationally acclaimed industrial designer, was working with Alan Tholkes, award-winning inventor, to improve standing frames that are used by physically challenged individuals to move from a sitting to a standing position.

At that time there was a lot of media attention on rising rates of work-related disorders among desk-bound workers—and the need for more ergonomic office environments. Jack and Alan met at a local Ember’s restaurant. An epiphany arrived with their coffee. Says Alan, “We both thought, ‘What if we could translate the human positioning technology into a mainstream product that will prevent the problems that are associated with working at a computer?’” It was a synergetic moment, and the beginning of HealthPostures.

The pair convinced DuWayne Dandurand, designer and prototype specialist, to join their team. Years—and many models—later a new kind of office chair emerged, now called the Stance® angle chair. The TaskMate™ came next. “That,” says Alan, “was when we nailed it. We knew that this was how people should be working.” It is the next generation’s office and computer workstation.

It took some doing, but whenever the daily mail brings a thank-you note from another enthusiastic customer, the design team is rewarded. Try the Stance® and TaskMate™. You will be too.