August Thonet was one of five children of Michael Thonet who at a young age gained a reputation for inventing the technique of bending solid beach wood. At the age of 40, August took over the management of the furniture company that his father had founded in 1819. As manager August built and perfected machines for bending wood. Of his designs the Thonet No.4 chair and the rocking chair Model 7500 are the most well-known.
In 1879 August was appointed Knight of the Order of Franz Joseph. The family business Thonet was taken over by Jacob Thonet in 1886.
August Thonet passed away in 1910 at the age of 81.
