Hollywood swing
A Hollywood swing is a wooden or metal garden bench that is attached to a free-standing scaffolding or frame and is usually covered , usually with cushions that can be easily set in swinging motion. In the German-speaking world, the piece of furniture is named after the American film city Hollywood . In the USA itself, such swings are called porch swing (veranda swing), the name after Hollywood is unknown there.
history
The inventor of the porch swing is unknown. There is evidence of such garden furniture in England since 1909 . The breakthrough came in the 1950s: the seating furniture had also become known in Europe through various Hollywood films and was given its name, which is still in use today. The Hollywood swing became the epitome of modern and sophisticated leisure activities at the time of the economic miracle . The upholstery patterns of the swings were often brightly colored and aroused - similar to Hawaiian shirts - associations with their own vacation trips to the south or exotic distant countries known only from films.
In the 1960s and 1970s, the Austrian journalist Margret Dünser asked members of the international jet set to interview members of the international jet set in their private surroundings and occasionally in one of the eponymous Hollywood swings for the successful ZDF television series VIP-Schaukel . This broadcast and its soon-to-be proverbial name reinforced the cosmopolitan impression that was associated with the garden furniture.
In the GDR they were sold under the name garden swing, but the term Hollywood swing was also used colloquially.
Today the porch swing has disappeared from most gardens, but is still available in stores. Unupholstered furniture with a similar function is also available made of wood or aluminum.
gallery
Model of a 1960s porch swing
Hollywood swing without padding
Hollywood swing in the garden
The porch swing became a rocking sofa for the living room
Hollywood swing made of wood
