Gunlocke's Washington Chair a Common Thread Through Eight Historic Administrations

WAYLAND, N.Y., Nov. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- With the 2008 presidential election behind us, President-elect Barack Obama is looking to the country's future and preparing for a big move into the White House. The new First Lady has the exciting - and somewhat daunting - task of decorating her family's new home in the iconic building, but one decorating decision will be left up to the President. He will be the one who decides which type of chair he'll sit in within the Oval Office throughout his next four years as Commander in Chief.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081107/CLF023 )

It may be hard to believe, but for nearly 50 years there was actually a common denominator in the Oval Office. Obviously, it wasn't the party in office or the political ideals that each president held. Instead, it was a chair. Yes, a chair.

The Gunlocke Company's Washington chair was the seating choice for eight consecutive U.S. presidents. An enduring symbol of power and prestige, The Washington chair has been a staple in the White House during a number of monumental moments in American history.

1933 - The Washington chair arrives in the Oval Office with the Roosevelt administration. In it, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the New Deal legislation, ends prohibition and declares war on Germany and Japan.

1945 - President Harry S. Truman oversees the end of World War II in Europe and later authorizes the use of atomic weapons on Japan, ending the Pacific conflict.

1953 - President Dwight D. Eisenhower takes office. As president, he oversees the cease-fire of the Korean War, keeps up the pressure on the Soviet Union during the Cold War, makes nuclear weapons a higher defense priority, launches the Space Race, enlarges the Social Security program and begins the Interstate Highway System.

1961 - The 35th president of the United States takes office - John F. Kennedy. Events during his administration include the Bay of Pigs Invasion, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the building of the Berlin Wall, the continuation of the Space Race, the Civil Rights Movement and early events of the Vietnam War. The Washington chair is spotlighted on the cover of leading magazines as Kennedy and his son, "John John", are captured on film sharing special family moments.

1963 - After JFK's assassination, Lyndon B. Johnson takes office, where he escalates American involvement in the Vietnam War from 16,000 American soldiers in 1963 to 550,000 in early 1968. He also brought The Great Society program in front of Congress in early 1965, and millions of elderly people benefit from his establishment of the Medicare program.

1974 - In his earlier administration's days, President Richard Nixon reduced tensions with China and the U.S.S.R.; however, after attempting to direct the cover-up of Watergate, he resigns - the only president to do so. Later President Gerald Ford takes office and grants a presidential pardon to Nixon for his involvement in the scandal.

1981 - On the last day of his administration, President Jimmy Carter is relieved as the Iran hostage crisis is finally resolved after 444 days of 52 U.S. diplomats being held hostage. His Gunlocke Washington chair is eventually displayed in his presidential library.

For more information about Gunlocke's Washington chair or other available products, contact 1-800-828-6300 or visit www.gunlocke.com .