TV tray tables became popular in the 1950′s, as the price of televisions fell to the point that middle class American families were able to afford them. Television trays were originally marketed as a way of conveniently eating meals and watching TV simultaneously, but have come to serve a variety of different purposes as well.
A tray table ad from the 50′s
These days, many people use their TV tray tables as a surface for their laptop or tablet so they can do things like check their email while watching the morning news or video chat with their friends while they watch the game. Who would have imagined that television trays, originally associated with 1950′s America, would become strongly associated with digital technology?
At Manchester Wood, television trays were some of our most popular items over the holiday season. One customer favorite is our Portable Folding Work and Laptop Desk, which is designed to be a versatile peace of furniture that can either be used as a folding TV tray or as a standalone desk.
Need more that one folding tray table? We also offer sets, like our Rectangular Folding TV Tray Table Set of 2 , which also comes in a set of four. These sets are great for couples and families. If you are interested in checking out our whole selection of folding tray tables, here it is.
Finally, a note about construction and materials. Since TV table trays were conceived in the 1950s, many of them were made with a miraculous new material called plastic, with metal for structural integrity. However, soon the novelty of plastic began to wear off, and its drawbacks, like brittleness and aesthetic shortcomings, became apparent. At Manchester Wood, we make our folding tray tables just like we make our other furniture: using sustainably harvested North American hardwoods. We hope you check out our wood TV trays and choose to buy American made furniture.
Manchester Wood’s #GiftGiving2012 Product Spotlight
Portable Folding Work and Laptop Desk in Golden Oak finish
It’s been amazing for us to find our solid wood TV trays are as popular today as they were in the early 80’s when we began making them! It’s to no surprise however that people still actively use tray tables as a means of mobility and convenience around the home because they are perfect for a temporary workspace or for a meal while catching up with our favorite programs.
At Manchester Wood we have a variety of folding TV tray table sets, from our traditional Rectangular, Oval, Contour, and Contemporary designs in either sets of two and four, to the more modernized Portable Folding Work and Laptop Desk and the incredibly affordable $64 Lap Desk; which is featured among several $64 items in a gift collection supporting U.S. job creation through reasonably priced made in USA products (please note that all of our furniture is entirely made in the USA at our mill).
Take a look around at our handcrafted solid wood tray tables and discover why so many enjoy them; like this recent customer who bought a TV tray set:
Thank you so very much! Finally, a company that understands quality and craftsmanship. I just now received my Contemporary Folding TV Tray Table set. It is not only gorgeous; it’s solid and so well made. Just like I remember when I was a youngster. My great uncle was a woodworker, so I do know a little about quality woodwork and this is the perfect example.
Thank you for proving that America still has what it takes. You folks are artists.
– Marilyn
Manchester Wood: American Made Furniture designs and produces quality, affordable, eco-friendly solid wood furniture in the Green Mountains of Vermont and Adirondack foothills of New York. For our online catalog, please visit ManchesterWood.com.
Manchester Wood prides itself on producing small, compact furniture with storage solutions in several styles of locations for the home. We’ve released several top sellers this past year that our ideal in Apartments, Condominiums, Senior Homes, and those tight spaces needing to be utilized.
Check out our Cabinet Furniture
Our Chairside Storage Table is an item we discuss often, as it has been praised the most by customers for it’s convenient uses. Also our Compact Desk is great for paying bills, or for a tight computer space, and handling other basic dealings for the home.
Jelly Cabinets have also been taking off, a classic design with tons of storage space. Our Tall Double Jelly Cabinet was actually recently selected by ABC’s World News with Diane Sawyer’s Made in America series.
For mobility, our Multipurpose Cart and TV Tray Tables have always been a great choice. Both items have been classic products over the past 25 years for us. We’ve experienced nothing but positive feedback since their introduction.
From the aesthetic prospective, our Underwindow Bookcase and Periodical End Table are the best fit. The Underwindow Bookcase is beautifully designed to store your possessions while giving you a clear view to see the beauty that surrounds you outside – which at times can be a critical way to gain inspiration.
Whatever you’re looking for when it comes to furniture, especially space effective pieces, please consider Manchester Wood – crafted in America from Solid Hardwood.
Check out our online catalog here: http://www.manchesterwood.com
Tags: American Made, american made furniture, bookcase, eco friendly, end tables, Furniture, Green, home office, Jelly Cabinets, kids furniture, living room, made in usa, Manchester Wood, media stands, office, slate top furniture, Small Business, storage, Tray Table, tv tray tables, usa made, Vermont, wood furniture
Uncategorized | admin February 23, 2011 | 
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The objects we possess that hold special and important memories are the most natural and spiritual expressions of your unique “lifestyle.” Whether in art, pictures, or furniture, we hope the presence of our Manchester Wood pieces spark the same sense of positive creation in your day. After all, everything we showcase and use in our homes should accent and excite our life.
Some feel when designing rooms that a luxurious feel may mean not ideal comfort for the sake of artistic expression, but that’s not necessarily true. Luxury is found in making yourself and others completely comfortable, no desire felt by anyone to leave this oasis you created.
We believe through our coffee tables, end tables, slate-top or solid wood, tray tables, and bookcases, you’ll find the key ingredients to create a successful living space.
Your Living Room is in fact that, a room you live and share in. It’s important to think of all your rooms like that when designing and furnishing spaces. The exciting part is recognizing the change and growth you make as your rooms evolve to match the present you!
As we enter the cold months of the season here on the east coast, our outdoor interests in furnishings turn towards indoor, working on the scenery we hide in away from the cold. We hope you find what you’re looking for at Manchester Wood when designing your living spaces with quality products that will last generations.
All our furniture is proudly still made in America from solid hardwood in the Adirondack foothills of Upstate New York and the Green Mountain valleys of Vermont.
Tags: americanmade, bathroom, bedroom, bookcase, coffee table, end table, Furniture, home office, kitchen, living room, Manchester Wood, ny, office, slate furniture, slate top furniture, Solid Wood, solid wood furniture, Tray Table, usmade, VT, wood furniture
Uncategorized | admin November 12, 2010 | Comments (0)
Television sets had just entered the American public in the early 1950s. Families began to spend time together with this new contraption.
Early popular shows like “Lassie,” “Bonanza,” and “Three Stooges” were enjoyed after a long day. The family began to make dinnertime, a “TV” time.
The evolution of dinnertime with the family was complete in 1954 when Gerry Thomas invented the “Swanson TV Dinner.”
The first TV Dinner contained turkey, dressing, sweet potatoes, and peas packaged in an organized tray. It was sold for under $1.
After Swanson sold millions of these TV Dinners, furniture companies followed with the development of the TV tray table. As seen above, original TV tray tables were aluminum, featuring folding tops, and collapsible legs.
It was the ultimate combination in convenience, and the popularity of the product grew into several designs and materials as we grew through the early years of TV.
Manchester Wood entered the TV tray table business. We’ve been making them for 35 years though, so not so far off.
In the beginning, we made the same classic TV tray table – just like all the rest. And like many others we evolved our products just like the entertainment that attracts us.
TV dinners and even tray tables seem distant from the current media connection frenzy we now experience. Computers have become the latest contraption, and our time spent using them has increased tremendously, moving away from the couch and TV experience.
The TV tray table is becoming to us, a computer tray table. Take a look at our new Folding Portable Work Table below. To learn more about this product,
click here.
