I think the need to increase chair sizes has largely to do with changes
in average height rather than weight.  We've become much taller and the
average chair height has not.  Folding chairs tend to be 16 1/2 inches
high, others around 17 1/2 inches high.  That's too short for our taller
population.  Aunt Tilly was not much taller than five feet in 1910, 
while
women.  My grandmother (born in 1900) was thought tall at 5'4".  Now I
suspect 5'4" is below average.

Mike in Sacto


> 	A thought just occurred to me.  When Aunt Tilly was waltzed across
> the living room floor in 1910 she likely weighed 180-200 lbs.  Now she
> likely weighs 250-300, and Uncle Buck weighs 300-350.  That is quite
> the china-cabinet-rattling dynamic load.  One sees items in the news
> about the need to increase chair sizes in public spaces.  Has their
> been a need to increase joist sizes?
>