An unusual and highly functional American Elkhart reading table, patented in 1901 and known as the “Sidway Table.” Manufactured by the Sidway Elkhart Company of Chicago, it was originally designed as a hospital bed table for reading, writing, and study. The table features a decorative cast iron base with two fixed feet and two castors for easy movement. The oak top has developed a warm, aged patina and is fitted with a practical book ledge to keep reading material in place. A clever geared spring mechanism allows the top to be raised or lowered, tilted to virtually any angle, and rotated up to 180 degrees to either side, making it exceptionally versatile. The rectangular top has softly rounded corners, while the upright support incorporates a small adjustment handle for changing the height and tilt. Designed for invalids, scholars, and home libraries, the Sidway Table is a wonderful example of early 20th-century ingenuity, combining practicality with attractive industrial design.