Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 39, Number 88, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 July 1907 — A NEW SCHOOL DESK. [ARTICLE]

A NEW SCHOOL DESK.

Provide* Support for tbe Child’* Baclc, Where It I* Moat Needed. In the belief that proper seating facilities play an important part in the welfare of school children, George W. Ehler, supervisor of. physical training, and Director of Schools Charles Orr worked until they have perfected what they 'believe is the best seat and desk in the country, says the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The seat Is constructed according to Ehler’s own plans and is based upon an exhaustive set of measurements made by his last year in the schools. It provides support for the child’s back, where it is most need, at the base of the spinal column and the small of the back. Another strong point is that the seat proper is pitched backward only slightly, keeping the body at a restful angle. Both seat and desk are adjustable. The new desks are being installed in all the new buildings and grow in favor wherever put Until the perfection of Ehler’s Improved seat there were two forms of desk used In the schools. The first was the old-fashioned desk, not adjustable at all, and made In unvarying sizes for the different grades. It presupposed that all children In the same grade would be of a size. Then came the so-called “liver-pad” desk. The back of the seat in this style of desk consisted of a single concave rest, to be placed at that point where the child’s back most needed support. Thiß was faulty In two respects. In the first place it was narrow and held the child’s body In a vise-like grip and in the second it gave support at only one point, whereaß the spine requires support at several points.