Hardwood and cast iron antique school desks filled classrooms in rural schools many years ago Today, modern ones constructed of high tech plastics and steel tubing are the most common schoolroom type of furniture.

I recall early school desks made of ornate iron frames that supported roomy wooden tops. These desktops bore the carvings and graffiti of the schoolchildren who had sat in them. The writing surface had a convenient groove for pencils and to the right, a hole for an inkwell.

Beneath the writing top was a storage space to hold books, scribblers, crayons and other belongings. Attached to the front of the desk was a wooden bench seat and back. As the units were placed in rows, a student sat on the bench seat of one section and worked at the table of the one in front.

Designed in the late 1800′s by Anna Breadin, these elaborate looking desks were actually quite an innovation for their time. Before this invention, schools used rustic wood ones, or the students sat at long tables with either attached bench seating or chairs to sit on. No provision was made to store or hold student supplies

Newer designs started to incorporate metal tubing for legs and supports, and often sported a slanted top that could be raised to access the storage space beneath it. Many of these were individual units, so were much more versatile in how they could be arranged within the classroom. Some even had a swivel seat so it was easier to sit in or arise from the desk.

In the newer desks, storage shelves for student possessions varied from beneath the seat to beneath the desk top. Earlier under seat storage was a wooden drawer that was heavy to pull out and awkward to use. Later these drawers were replaced with more convenient open wire shelves or baskets.

The writing surfaces were made in different sizes. Breadin designs had hardwood tops of sufficient size to hold both notebooks and texts. As more modern ones came into use, desktop size often decreased. Some had side mounted tablet tops with considerably less space for the student to write.

Today, school desks can be found in a great many styles and sizes. From ones designed for small children to those that fit a tall adult, almost size or style can be purchased. Online specialty stores carry a huge selection at reasonable prices.

Lightweight class room furniture that integrates separate laminate top tables with open front storage compartments and chairs is the most common classroom type today. Chair-desk combinations with more comfortable molded plastic seats above a wire book rack and laminate tops are also popular in schools. Some of these have a full-sized top while others sport a smaller side mounted tablet top for writing.

If you have a nostalgic bent, you may be able to find an antique school bench with ornate iron and hardwood in an antique shop or online auction site. Many other styles are displayed in museums. Historic school tables with elaborate frameworks and old style craftsmanship make an interesting display piece for any home.

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