Born in 1880, Xavier Pauchard brought the galvanization process to France. This innovative process helped revamp the way furniture was made and continues to impact furniture makers worldwide. Pauchard initially followed in his father's footsteps, performing as a roofer and zinc worker In 1907, Pauchard found that he could protect sheet metal from rusting by dipping it in molten zinc. He eventually introduced the galvanization process, which involves taking iron or steel and dipping it in molten zinc to develop a durable exterior layer, to France. He ultimately trademarked a product called "Tolix" of small household items in 1927.

Some of Pauchard's most famous works include the A Chair and Fauteuil C, both of which were included on the SS Normandie. These pieces were globally recognized for their industrial aesthetics and combined a sleek style with a functional design. Pauchard died in 1948, and Tolix remained owned and operated by the Pauchard family. In 1956, Tolix launched a series of chair that featured a slimmer frame and were easy to stack. The chairs became exceedingly popular in cafes, offices and hospitals. Tolix produced about 60,000 chairs annually throughout the remainder of the 1950s. The company remained in the Pauchard family until 2004, when the brand was revamped and expanded by furniture designer Chantal Andriot.