Laila Laurel, a student at the University of Brighton, came up with an apparent solution to the problem of 'manspreading' as well as second chair encouraging women to sit with their legs apart.
The chair is constructed as a triangle, with borders on the sides, which keep the intended sitter's legs together. A secondary design meant for women, is the reverse of the anti-manspreading chair with plenty of free space, encouraging women to sit with their legs apart.
— Paul Bois (@PaulBois39) July 17, 2019
Claiming that she was inspired by her experience of “infringing” on her space in public, the chairs are a concept design and were intended to make a statement through humour.
"I don't take myself too seriously, because for I really want my work to be both important and thought provoking, whilst also being engaging and funny," she told BBC.
"I think humour is a really interesting tool in order to tackle social issues."
She received the Belmond Award for the chair at New Designers in London, which is a major showcase of work from universities across the UK.
Since her award win she has since received an enormous backlash from people accusing her of hating all men, and even threats of violence and rape.
"I have received a lot of explicit messages from men who seem to be under the impression that I hate all men."
She clarified that this "couldn't be further from the truth frankly".
“I’m getting messages threatening me about rape and a lot of pictures of men’s genitals. It isn’t nice. It’s just bizarre behaviour." She added.
Mrs Laurel has received serious criticism online for her invention.
— Andy (@andygshire) July 20, 2019
— Remy Dushine (@RemyDushine) July 19, 2019
Some said it revealed a lot about the standards of national awards.
— Hey_Arnold (@HeyArno82727846) July 18, 2019
Others made jokes, like saying the electric chair is the original anti-manspreading chair.
— UnsafeSpace (@Tony_P_Mator) July 20, 2019
— Frank (@FrankWCE1992) July 19, 2019
Supports of Mrs Laurel joked that "castration" may be more appropriate.
— Titania McGrath (@TitaniaMcGrath) July 17, 2019
There are currently no plans to roll the chairs out to for public use.
