white plastic chair

happy new year.
inspired by a scene by the road that we witnessed on 1 jan, i was thinking about the world's true symbol of globalization. and of efficiency. of practicality over looks, and of very bad taste.
the white plastic chair.
no matter where you are on this planet, you will inevitably bump into one of them. maybe 2, stacked on top of each other.
why do we need it? why do we keep buying it when clearly there are alternatives? how did it come to be as common as... well, nothing else? didn't neil armstrong bring a white plastic chair along to the moon? i'm certain my friend grant has at least one on his sailing boat. though i hope not...
and - who produces them? tell me quickly if you know, because he or she must be the richest person in the universe. i want to marry them. in a white plastic dress.