Invented 1882 · Wilhelm Bartelmann · Baltic Sea
The history of the beach chair
No Baltic beach without it – the beach chair. It was invented in 1882 by a basket maker from Rostock who was asked to build a sheltered seat for an ailing woman. How it came about, why there are so many of them today, and what sets Baltic and North Sea chairs apart.
Who invented the beach chair?
The Rostock master basket maker Wilhelm Bartelmann (1845–1930) is regarded as the inventor of the beach chair. As imperial court basket maker he ran his own workshop in Rostock – and in 1882 created a piece of furniture that remains part of the scenery on every Baltic beach to this day.
1882: the first beach chair
In the spring of 1882 Elfriede von Maltzahn, who suffered from rheumatism, asked Bartelmann for a sheltered seat on the beach that would let her linger in the fresh air. Bartelmann wove the first “beach chair” from willow and cane – a single-seater with a tall, curved hood that kept off wind and sun.
From single-seater to two-seater
The single-seater caught on quickly, and a two-seater with footrests, an awning and fold-out side tables soon followed. Bartelmann and his wife opened the first beach-chair rental near the lighthouse in Warnemünde – the start of a success story all along the coast.
Why there are so many
Bartelmann never filed a patent on his invention. Other basket makers copied the beach chair, and so it spread rapidly across the entire Baltic and North Sea coasts. The regions still differ in build to this day: Baltic chairs usually have a square roof, North Sea chairs a rounded one.
Beach chairs in Travemünde
At Travemünde’s spa beach the beach chairs are part of the scenery – in long rows between promenade and water. To rent one, you’ll find providers, prices and locations in the beach chair guide; more about the beach itself is under Beach and water.
Frequently asked questions about beach chairs
Who invented the beach chair?
The Rostock master basket maker Wilhelm Bartelmann (1845–1930) is regarded as the inventor. He wove the first beach chair in 1882 for Elfriede von Maltzahn, who suffered from rheumatism.
When was the beach chair invented?
In the spring of 1882. Bartelmann first made a single-seater from willow and cane; a two-seater with an awning and side tables soon followed.
Why is there no patent on the beach chair?
Bartelmann never filed a patent. That is why other basket makers were free to copy the beach chair – and it spread rapidly across the whole Baltic and North Sea coasts.
What is the difference between a Baltic and a North Sea beach chair?
Mainly the shape of the roof: Baltic chairs usually have a square roof, North Sea chairs a rounded one. Otherwise the models are similar.
Where can you rent a beach chair in Travemünde?
At the spa beach and the Priwall beach. Providers, prices and locations are listed in the beach chair guide on travemuende-heute.de.
