Legend has it that when Italian designer Vico Magistretti presented his Maralunga prototype to Cesare Cassina, the founder struck the back in frustration, causing it to collapse inward. Magistretti reportedly replied, “Perfect, it looks better like that,” and the design moved forward. Cassina introduced the Maralunga in 1973, and while it became famous as a sofa, this version is the single lounge chair—retaining the same ingenious mechanism.

What appears to be a slouched backrest is in fact an adjustable headrest, raised and lowered by a bicycle chain concealed within the foam cushions.