c. 1940's american industrial "uhl art steel" backless factory stool manufactured by the toledo metal furniture co., toledo, oh. the stool is outfitted with a darkly stained solid maple wood circular-shaped seat. the distinctive brushed metal four-legged base contains four stretchers of concave metal straps connected to the legs and joined by a circular strip in the center. structurally sound and stable. the toledo metal furniture company, manufacturer of uhl art steel furniture offered to druggists and soda dispensers, factories and offices a line of convenient, durable, economical and serviceable steel furniture. the uhl idea was conceived and the first chair brought into existence through the "sweat of the brows" of the uhl brothers, joe and clem, in a small bicycle repair shop in toledo, several years ago. this first chair when completed, although crude in comparison with the present-day product, proved the idea a success. it at once established the u-shaped formation of cold-rolled steel as the most ingenious method invented for securing in the legs of chairs, stands and tables a maximum of strength with a minimum of weight without any sacrifice of appearance. measures approximately 16 x 16 x 22 inches with a seat diameter of 14 inches.