Upon investigation I found that the old seat was originally made in 1928 for rumble seats of the first motor cars and for bench seating under The Big Top. With guidance through the manufacturing process given me by a good friend, Larry, I spent two years re-constructing, product testing, and patenting the new/old seat using innovative construction methods to add durability and functionality to the original. My utility patent was granted based on this new construction method. As a result of the way the HowdaSeat is built I have placed a lifetime guarantee on construction.

The story of the name came about, rather mysteriously I believe, through my old house. As told in "The Story of Howda Designz", I live in a 300 year old New England salt box home. Of all the stories to be told about that house the best one is how I got the name, "HowdaSeat." I had been told by my (wonderful) Patent Attorney that finding a great name was almost more important than getting the patent. So late one night I decided to delve into the old encyclopedia that I had as a child. I pulled out the "C" volume to read all about chairs, thinking some name would inspire me. I dropped the book on the table, walked away to get something and when I returned the book was open to Circus. I was dumb founded. I had learned that the original seat from 1928 was designed as a seat for circus benches. And here I was staring at the open book to Circus. I read the whole thing and discovered that "the pretty ladies" rode on the backs of the elephants atop a saddle called "Howdah" taken after the Elephant's saddle in India named "Hauda". I knew instantly that this name would work in one form or another. The day I learned from my helpful attorney in Haverhill that he was able to get me a Registered Trademark on "HowdaSeat" I ran out to a store and bought myself a Mickey Mouse watch. And the reason? Another very long story for some other time.

Maybe the best story of all is how I decided to actually launch my own business rather than sell the HowdaSeat and other ideas to another company. I met my friend, Larry, the one who taught me about manufacturing, at the Chicago Housewares Trade Show. He kindly volunteered to introduce me to a successful company that was innovative in product mix and would be, perhaps, interested in taking on the HowdaSeat. What is most fascinating and interesting to tell about this meeting is how that company got started in their own business. The owner, Nancy, took me aside after seeing my HowdaSeat and told me in a whisper that she was very interested in the seat but "did I realize I could start my own company with this product". Up until that moment my dream of starting my own company was still scary to me and I kept getting wet feet. Selling the product to her company seemed easier and safer. But she was telling me that they started their business, which now had many products, from just one. Upon asking which one, Nancy pointed to the display of contemporary plastic scissors. I was absolutely dumb founded, once again. My father invented and patented plastic scissors and had another company manufacture and distribute his scissors years before he sold his patent. I believe our first house was built from the royalties off his plastic scissors patent.

This changed everything for me. I now had more than just the passion to create a product, I had the dream to go one step further than what my father had done. I wanted to manufacture my own product, distribute and market it and others.in other words, the whole kit and caboodle. The HowdaSeat was (re)born in 1990.

The first catalog to virtually launch the HowdaSeat nationwide was the J. Peterman Co. Catalog. The catalog was nationally famous for its charming, historic and funny advertising copy. Since each item has its own tale the HowdaSeat, certainly, had tales to tell.

One such untold tale is its possible legacy in American history starting with the Native Americans. The story goes that a seat, similar in nature to the HowdaSeat, was used as a "healing" chair for the elders seated around ceremonial fires. The belief was that wood touching the earth was sacred and wood around the back, healing. Today, people of all ages use HowdaSeats for therapeutic back support, sitting in comfort everywhere, even at the traditional fire ceremonies held today.

I found that the original wood used, American Basswood, was still the best. It is a native hardwood that grows in abundance, known for its clean grain, strength and flexibility. Keeping to the historic origin of the seat I chose to hold close to its original design features and to manufacture with the same wood and at home in New England, where the opportunity to handmake a product with care and attention to detail was of the utmost importance to me.

Leslie Aisner Novak