Height adjustable standing desks are the future of offices and workspaces from big businesses to tech startups coast to coast. But, did you know that people have been using the height of healthy design for centuries? That’s right, more than 230 years ago there was an exceptionally gifted German cabinetmaker by the name of David Roentgen who could arguably be credited with starting the standing desk revolution.

Roentgen is mostly known for constructing dressing tables, desks and other furniture that included hidden drawers and compartments. His creations and mechanical inventions became so well known that King Louis XVI even purchased a desk from him before the French Revolution.

While most of us don’t need the intricate engineering of a full Roentgen desk, one thing we know at MultiTable is that everyone can use one of his other inventions; the first height adjustable desk. The beautifully built desk is not for sale. It is in fact currently on display at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. The ingenious height adjustability mechanism uses hinges, dowels and springs to beautifully transition from sitting to standing.

Roentgen didn’t have the scientific research to know about the health benefits of standing over sitting. Nor did he have the anatomical knowledge to know how sitting affects your spine and posture. But, he had the instinct to know that being able to stand while working was important for the mind and the body. According to the Met Museum, a German fashion and luxury journal said in 1795 that it was ideal for the “businessman who must write to many people, frequently, and at length.” While they may not have used the Roentgen design, some other historic figures that used standing desks include Leonardo Da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson and Sir Winston Churchill.

Today, science confirms that height adjustable standing desks are the way to go. According to multiple studies, people who stand have lower risks of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. They also allow for more open communication between employees, making it perfect for any industry or office style. Multitable is here to spread the word that height adjustable standing desks are the height of health design, and provide quality, affordable standing desks that fit every need.

While we use newer technology and engineering to raise and lower our desks compared to the late 1700s, we still agree with Roentgen’s ideals for building high quality, beautiful products that serve the needs of our customers. While the technology has advanced quite a bit since his time, the desire and benefits of being able to both sit and stand while working have not. That’s why we believe the future is every business and home office in America having one of our height adjustable standing desks.