This type of foot stool supports a person’s (usually a child’s) feet that do not reach the floor when seated. The footstool is placed under the feet of a sitting person so that the person’s feet may rest comfortably on it. An example is the type of piano footstool used in conjunction with a piano bench. It is also used to make the blood circulation of the body flow more freely when sitting down.

A barber chair and a shoeshiner have foot rests. An automobile typically has a “dummy pedal” that acts as a foot rest to discourage “riding the clutch” or “riding the brake”. A foot peg is another type of foot rest usually on BMX bicycles, motorcycles, the Ford N-Series tractor, some kayaks, the Impossible wheel, and other transportation devices.

Footstools have been known for many years, and have evolved throughout history. The footstool is attested in ancient Egypt, where it was utilized to ascend chairs perched high off the ground. It was also used to rest a person’s feet when he or she was seated.

In the 18th century a low, long footstool called a fender stool was popular. It was placed in front of the fireplace, and long enough for all of the family members to place their feet and warm them up.

Footstools where generally interchangeable in everyday life from the 17th through the early 19th century. In early American homes the footstool was very valuable, and took precious space although the living quarters were cramped.^[2]