History of La-Z-Boy

In 1928, cousins Edwin Shoemaker and Edward Knabusch invented a piece of furniture that would change the way people relax for decades to come: The La-Z-Boy recliner. This early model was simply a wooden-slat porch chair that they later upholstered after taking advice from a furniture buyer. The trademarked name of "La-Z-Boy" was created by one of the cousins' employees in a naming contest, beating out other entries such as "Sit-N-Snooze" and "Slackback." The creative winner of the contest took home a prize award of $25.

Through the years of the Great Depression that quickly followed, Shoemaker and Knabusch found themselves struggling, yet still growing from the demand for the unusual chair. Even though an occasional payment came in the form of corn, wheat, or farm animal, by 1933, sales had grown enough to open their first retail store.

The La-Z-Boy reclining chair received a make-over in 1961, when the formerly immovable recliner adopted some new features. The new model combined the well-liked features of the reclining chair and the platform rocker, resulting in a model that had a built-in footrest while still offering the comfort of the reclining chair. Dubbed the "Reclina-Rocker," it was an instant hit and buyers swamped the company with orders. By 1962, the Reclina-Rocker accounted for 82% of La-Z-Boy's sales, and a year later La-Z-Boy made the decision to discontinue the original model of the recliner.

Fueled by the exponential rise in television viewing of sitcoms, spin-offs and cable, people were spending more time in front of the tv and therefore, needed comfortable furniture to accommodate their leisure needs. After years as the premier recliner manufacturer, La-Z-Boy was now expanding into additional "motion" products such as sleep sofas, reclining sofas and modular groups. In 1983, La-Z-boy branched out into new territory by launching its first line of stationary sofas.

With the diverse product line now being offered, La-Z-Boy needed more space to showcase their inventory. The concept of "La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries" was created and displayed fully decorated room vignettes in four major categories: a Chair Gallery, Leather Gallery, Living Room Gallery, and Family Room Gallery.

Diversification has continued to be on the forefront of La-Z-Boy's success story. Advertisements depict people of different genders, ages and races in various styles of La-Z-Boy chairs, banishing the notion that La-Z-Boy customers are male, middle-aged couch potatoes. From chairs accented with sleek wooden legs to contemporary sofas upholstered in animal print, La-Z-Boy has taken the high quality and comfort of their early products and made them more complimentary to a diverse customer base. As one ad read, "Anyone can make furniture that goes with your carpeting. We make furniture that goes with your life."