The 1960s was the start of a new era in design, an exciting and changing cause of ideas and experimentation, with new looks, colours and materials being constantly introduced due to changing technology. A new generation of designers were rejecting the ideas and values of 1950s organic modernism by experimenting with new materials such as plastics, to create new furniture in vivid colours and fluid shapes. Any homes that were design conscious would contain Scandinavian chairs and stainless steel cutlery, Italian lighting and glass. The Danish designer Verner Panton and the Italians Joe Colombo and Anna Castelli-Ferreri seized the change of times to experiment with plastic and “fluid” materials to capture the futuristic style of the 1960s design, which introduced the Pop aesthetic to furniture and interiors. Furniture began to “break the rules” as they raced to develop plastic stacking chairs just like the tubular steel pioneers of the 1920s. Panton officially became the first person to develop the inflatable furniture. From plastic chairs and blow-up furniture, Bean Bags were introduced in 1969.

In the 1970s, interior and home design became an increasingly wild ride. In general, the mood darkened with many worldly affairs due to the Vietnam War and political unrest. Many conservatives such as Paolo Deganello and Ettore Sottsass rejected the modern movement, and designer of inflatable furniture Verner Panton lost his place in the centre of the design scene. One concept that was not lost was the idea of using polystyrene in furniture. In particular, its use in creating the first bean bag by 3 Italian designers in late 1968. Paolini, Teodoro and Gatti were the three responsible for creating the “Sacco” as it was originally known.

Cesare Paolini was born in 1937, Genua and Franco Teodoro and Piero Gatti were born in Turin in 1939 and 1940 respectively. They started working together in the field of design in 1965 specializing in architecture, decoration, industrial and urban design, product development and graphic and corporate images. In 1968, they introduced their most famous creation, the "sacco", which became to be more commonly known as the "bean bag". It became an instant worldwide phenomenon, and a leading icon of the 1970s. It is displayed in galleries and museums and was awarded worldwide. It was originally described as an "anatomical armchair" and was the first mass produced bean bag furniture.

They were constructed of vinyl and filled with polystyrene, which were quite alien materials at the time. However it made the chairs easy to shape and mould. It was a revolutionary concept, being that it was the first widely-popular product that expressed furniture as something that should move with the human body. The Sacco said that furniture did not have to be static and formal, which appealed to the younger audience, though even the older generation got into it. The Sacco is still made by Italian design and furniture firm Zanotta and unlike a lot of cheaper copies is still a directional product available in a variety of fabric and colours. There has been improvement over its shape and size but the general form remains the same.

Its concept was innovative in several ways as unlike conventional furniture it was mobile since you could move it easily from room to room or outside, and it did not remain the same shape reflecting its versatility. Its comfort was highly praised as it can adapt to many body shapes. The original Sacco was designed with a functional headrest, which would shape into place by dislodging beans up to the head area, and has now been even more accentuated on the new generations of bean bag furniture and chairs. The bean bag is exposed in galleries and museums and has received prizes and acknowledgments all over the world.

Today bean bag chairs are used for many purposes without having a specific target audience. They are great seats for lounging around. Occupational therapists suggest the use of bean bags to help children with sensory-integration problems. Dogs and cats love to nest in bean bag chairs. Professional decorators use bean bag chairs to add an easy touch of design to homes and offices as they are perfect for designing due to the various prints, textures, colours, and sizes they come in. The possibilities are endless with the recent introduction of interchangeable bag covers. This icon of the twentieth century is still available from many manufacturers worldwide, as it has adapted to changes in needs and fashion throughout the years without losing its original concept of being mobile and practical. Word count: 772