George F. Perkins from San Francisco, California, received a U.S. patent for an improved reading desk. Patent no. 121810 was issued on December 12, 1871.
This desk is entirely wooden and has pew-like supporters rather than traditional chair legs. It was referred to as the “pendent reading desk” although there is no desk with this seat today. It was designed to be fastened to a chair or even a bedstead, and it stays in place with the help of a strap. There are armrests, and the top of the seat back has two arches as a design element. The support arches curve above the user's head. The shelf for reading is pictured holding a lamp as well. The patent model describes it as being “a very convenient apparatus for reading or writing with ease.” There are armrests and the top of the seat back has two arches as a design element.
We are not aware of any additional information about the inventor/patentee.