Pedestal desk

The French stayed faithful to the writing table or bureau plat ("flat desk"), which might have a matching paper-case (cartonnier) that stood upon it.

However, unlike the pedestal desk, these precursors had an incomplete stack of drawers and compartments holding up the two ends.

Pedestal desks made of steel sheet metal were introduced in 1946 and were popular in America until the 1970s.

Called tanker desks, they were used in institutions such as schools and business and government offices.

It can then be considered a portable desk in a limited way since the writing surface could be easily separated from the pedestals, to facilitate transport.