Final answer:
The concept of the rocking chair existed before the Shaker community; thus, they are not credited with its first design. The Shakers are known for their simple and functional furniture styles, and did create their own unique rocking chairs, which continue to be admired for their craftsmanship.
Step-by-step explanation:
While the Shakers are famed for their contributions to furniture design, the concept of the rocking chair predates their community. According to historical accounts, rocking chairs appeared in the 18th century in North America, around the time of Benjamin Franklin, which is before the Shakers began producing furniture.
The Shakers did, however, create their own distinct versions of rocking chairs, which were known for their simplicity, functionality, and fine craftsmanship, much like other Shaker furniture and artifacts.
It's worth noting that the Shakers were innovative in many other areas and produced a variety of other products, such as improved washing machines and circular saws, as well as contributing to the culture with things like paper seed packets and the famous Shaker song "Simple Gifts".