The ergonomic desk is a modern desk form which is in a sense a derivative of the adjustable drawing table or drafting table of the end of the 18th century (and much of the 19th century) since its main goal is to offer the proper amount of mechanical adjustments to the placement of its elements in order to maximize the comfort and efficiency of the user. Typical rolltop desk A desk is a furniture form and a class of table. ... A drawing table (or drafting table or draughting table) is also often called an architects table. ... (17th century - 18th century - 19th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701 through 1800. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Some ergonomic desks have a big enough height adjustment of the desktop to make them usable both as a normal "sit-down" desk, or as a standing desk where the user works at the desktop while standing up. A standing desk is both an antique desk and a modern desk form conceived for writing and/or reading while standing up or while sitting on a high stool. ...

The ergonomic desk is also known as a computer desk because many computer desks offer the occasion to adjust the height and angle of the keyboard tray, the monitor shelf and other elements, and because many desks made nowadays are used to work with computers.

However, not all desks sold under the name "computer desk" are properly designed to be adjusted in such a fashion.

The ergonomic desk was born with the beginning of the field of human factors or ergonomics after the second world war. Legislation stating minimal requirements for furniture used by office workers often referred to ergonomic desk standards. It has been suggested that Human factors be merged into this article or section. ...

Unlike the modular desk or the cubicle desk the ergonomic desk is usually a "stand-alone" piece of furniture since the need to offer a mechanism for the adjustment of the main work surface or desktop adds elements which are less easy to maintain within the walls of the cubicle desk and add too much cost to the production of the whole. A cubicle farm A cubicle desk is a partially enclosed workspace, separated from neighboring workspaces by partitions, generally five to six feet high. ...

The ergonomic desk is usually a close companion to the ergonomic chair. Look up chair in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

See also the list of desk forms and types. Any list of desk forms and types encountered in the modern office or home, and in antique stores is incomplete and contradictory given the variations in the naming of desks . ...