seijun
Well-known member
I was lucky enough to snag this amazing chair over the weekend. It is a heated massage recliner made by Niagara. I am unsure of the manufacture date. The 70's or 80's at the latest is my guess. It has vibrating massage rollers that move up and down the back, and a massage unit in the leg rest. The heat can be turned on/off separately. The Niagara company started in 1949 in the USA. They are still around today, although they seem to be primarily active in Australia and New Zealand. There is a website for Niagara in the USA, but it looks like it was made in 1990 and never updated.
Here is a wonderful old "documentary" on the company.
From the video, you would think that Niagara and their massage units were about to take over the world. They were used in hospitals and by the sporting industry. They could be found in hotels and even cars! Niagara was also responsible for the creation of the Fairyland Clinic for Handicapped Children in Pennsylvania. I can't find any evidence that this clinic still exists, but Niagara in Australia and New Zealand have something they call the Fairyland Centre initiative, wherein they donate massage equipment to schools for special needs children.
I would love to know what happened to Niagara. It was once a booming businesses with multiple factories and offices in multiple countries. Now, there is very little to be found on it outside of a few old film reels and commercials.
I think I am very lucky to have this little piece of forgotten history in my home. Plus, this chair just feels awesome.
Here is a wonderful old "documentary" on the company.
From the video, you would think that Niagara and their massage units were about to take over the world. They were used in hospitals and by the sporting industry. They could be found in hotels and even cars! Niagara was also responsible for the creation of the Fairyland Clinic for Handicapped Children in Pennsylvania. I can't find any evidence that this clinic still exists, but Niagara in Australia and New Zealand have something they call the Fairyland Centre initiative, wherein they donate massage equipment to schools for special needs children.
I would love to know what happened to Niagara. It was once a booming businesses with multiple factories and offices in multiple countries. Now, there is very little to be found on it outside of a few old film reels and commercials.
I think I am very lucky to have this little piece of forgotten history in my home. Plus, this chair just feels awesome.
