Few 20th-century designers had influential furniture that regularly flew at 30,000 feet, but Warren McArthur did. His work on seating for military aircraft came near the end of his career, following decades of Machine Age furniture shaped from tubular forms and made of steel, chrome and aluminum.
Warren McArthur Jr. graduated with an engineering degree from Cornell University in 1908. After moving to Los Angeles in 1929, he founded the Warren McArthur Corporation a year later. His initial output of sleek, metal designs were popular in offices and hotels.
At the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair, Americans witnessed a new “Streamlined America” campaign, which included everyday furniture made from metal, opening the door for McArthur and other Machine Age designers to a residential audience. With this increase in demand for metal furniture, the Warren McArthur Corporation relocated to Rome, New York, and sold their aluminum furnishings out of a showroom on Park Avenue in New York City.
Actors Marlene Dietrich, Fredric March and Clark Gable were among his A-list clientele. McArthur also produced furniture for the dining cars on the Union Pacific Railroad and the Chrysler Headquarters. His designs were featured in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s 1934 exhibition “Contemporary American Industrial Art.”
During World War II, McArthur pivoted production after a ban on the private use of aluminum. McArthur made an estimated three-quarters of all American military aircraft seating, including adjustable seats for the Beechcraft C-45 and revolving seats for navigators aboard the Grumman HU-16 Albatross.
Warren McArthur closed his business in 1948. He died in 1961.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Warren McArthur armchairs, tables and other seating.
Warren McArthur Vanity Stool Style No. 1131, circa 1936
By Warren McArthur, Warren McArthur Corporation
Located in Camden, ME
Warren McArthur aluminum vanity stool from the mid- 1930s. The stool is worn and has a separation crack on the inside edge of one of the floor tube. Early McArthur is made from weld...
Aluminum
$3,840Sale Price|20% Off
Warren McArthur Modified Revolving Stool Aircraft Seat 1947/2024
By Warren McArthur, Warren McArthur Corporation
Located in Camden, ME
.A rotating stool made from a Warren McArthur designed aircraft navigational stool created in 1947 for Grumman Aircraft Corporation. The Grumman Albatross SA-16 was deve...
Metal, Aluminum, Steel
Warren Platner for Knoll Wire Stool
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Industrial and organic steel wire stool by Warren Platner from the Platner Collection for Knoll, after 1966. Newly upholstered in a creamy, textural wool. In excellent condition. Cur...
Steel
High Style Swivel Vanity Stool by Jay Spectre c 1970/1980's
By Jay Spectre, Century Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Voguish Art Deco Revival, Hollywood Regency style swivel boudoir chair, vanity stool designed by Jay Spectre circa 1970' 1980's. The stool features four solid oak legs in pale bleach...
Fabric, Oak
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.5 in W 17 in D 18 in
Warren McArthur Industrial Design Side Chair with Sling Back, c. 1935
By Warren McArthur, Warren McArthur Corporation
Located in Chicago, IL
Warren McArthur Industrial Design Side Chair with Sling Back, c. 1935 Aluminum, Rubber Feet and Upholstery (cotton-poly blend) A rare example of early American industrial design by W...
Metal, Aluminum
Warren Platner Ottomans/Stools for Knoll
By Warren Platner
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of Warren Platner Ottomans/Stools manufactured by Knoll Original velvet Upholstery
Stainless Steel
Antique Cast Iron Vanity Bench Stool style of Oscar Bach
By Oscar Bruno Bach
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, an Antique Cast Iron Stool Vanity Bench Neoclassical Style of Oscar Bruno Bach. No label. Cast Iron x frame base, metal...
Metal, Iron
Paul Frankl Style Vanity Stool Upholstered in Shearling
By Paul Frankl
Located in Saint Louis, MO
A most elegant and thoughtful way to celebrate your "me" time. Make yourself comfortable in silky soft shearling and enjoy the ritual of tending to you. A beautiful and sculptural vanity...
Fur, Hide, Leather, Wood, Lacquer
Queen Anne Style Swivel Vanity Stool By Cox Manufacturing (2 available)
By Cox Manufacturing
Located in Pasadena, TX
This ad is for a single Cox Manufacturing vanity stool. The stool swivels and has a half back. The cabriolet legs terminate into bun feet. Price is per item. 2 stools available. Re...
Mahogany
Warren McArthur Armchairs, for McArthur Corporation 1933
By Warren McArthur Corporation, Warren McArthur
Located in Chicago, IL
Set of Six Warren McArthur Armchairs for McArthur Corporation, 1933 Aluminum frames with woven linoleum upholstery and rubber elements. Set includes four examples of model 1047-A and...
Aluminum
Selection of Warren McArthur Chairs
By Warren McArthur
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of Art Deco aluminum chairs, designed by Warren McArthur, American, circa 1930s. These can be used as dining, desk, or occasional cha...
Metal, Aluminum
Four Warren McArthur Chairs
By Warren McArthur
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Four Warren McArthur dining chairs. The aluminium shows wear and one of the chairs is missing its cross bar (picture attached). They have been newly reupholstered. They measure 17.5"...
Aluminum
Warren Platner for Knoll Nickel Finish and Fabric Stool, circa 1980s
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Oakland, CA
Architect Warren Platner designed stool constructed of nickel-plated steel and fabric for Knoll. Hand crafted by Matricola of Italy for Knoll, the frame is resist welded and the plat...
Steel, Nickel
Vintage Louis XV Style Swivel Vanity Stool, Wood Frame, 1940s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage French swivel vanity stool newly reupholstered in Scalamandre Toile fabric. Louis XV style carved and painted frame.
Fabric, Wood
1969 Mid-Century Modern Red Leather Stool Signed Warren McArthur, Nickel-Plated
By Warren McArthur
Located in New York, NY
1969 nickel-plated Mid-Century Modern metal base stool with a round red leather seat made and signed by Warren McArthur. This can be seen at our 2420 ...
Nickel
Rare Warren MacArthur Adjustable Stool
By Warren McArthur
Located in New York, NY
Aluminum stool marked Warren MacArthur. The stool adjusts in height from the low position ( 24" ) to high position ( 36" ). The surface has some spo...
Aluminum
Pair of Warren McArthur Railroad Revolving Stools
By Warren McArthur
Located in Camden, ME
A pair of revolving stools from an Illinois Central passenger train from the late 1930's. Remnants of Warren McArthur Corporation One Park Avenue decal...
Aluminum
Warren McArthur Aluminum Stool
By Warren McArthur
Located in New York, NY
WARREN MCARTHUR (1885-1961) Stool in brushed aluminum tubing with iconic aluminum turnings at joints and a black leather seat. American, c. 1930
Aluminum