Why did improved joints and gluing make stretchers less necessary on furniture?

Improved joints and the use of modern, high-strength glues have made stretchers (horizontal rods or bars connecting furniture legs) less necessary because these advancements allow for significantly more rigid construction.

When two pieces of wood are joined using modern, strong glue, the resulting joint becomes so stable that, in the event of a severe shock, the wood itself is more likely to break than the joint. Consequently, furniture can achieve sufficient structural integrity through the thick dimensions of the members meeting at the frame, eliminating the need for additional bracing between the legs. This development has allowed designers to create pieces with a more continuous, uninterrupted appearance, as seen in styles like French Rococo armchairs, where the absence of stretchers helps conceal the difference between supported and supporting members to create a sense of lightness.1