previously sold by Standard-Möbel, Lengyel & Co., and introduced the more recognized Wassily version that replaced the fabric with black leather straps, though the fabric version was still made available. In 1968 Knoll bought the Gavina Group of Bologna. This brought all of Breuer's design into the Knoll catalog. This chair was revolutionary in the use of the materials (bent tubular steel and Eisengarn) and methods of manufacturing. In 1925 Breuer purchased his first bicycle and he was impressed with the lightness of its tubular steel frame. This inspired him to experiment with using the material in furniture design. The design (and all subsequent steel tubing furniture) was technologically feasible only because the German steel manufacturer Mannesmann had recently perfected a process for making seamless steel tubing. . Previously, steel tubing had a welded seam, which would collapse when the tubing was bent. The Wassily chair, like many other designs of the modernist movement, has been mass-produced since the late 1920s, and continuously in production since the 1950s. A design classic is still available today. Though patent designs are expired, the trademark name rights to the design are owned by Knoll of New York City. Reproductions are produced around the world by other manufacturers, who market the product under many names. See also Adirondack chair Aeron chair Barcelona chair Cantilever chair Curule chair Faldstool Glastonbury chair Grand Confort List of chairs Turned chair Watchman's chair X-chair References 1925 in art 1926 in art Chairs Bauhaus Modernism German design Marcel Breuer furniture Wassily Kandinsky Individual models of furniture