Are older office chairs practical for modern office use?

Years ago I had an antique store filled with rarities and furniture from the last two-hundred years. In the corner of the store I had a small office area and used a fifty year old non-rolling wooden office chair with no cushion. It seemed like a good idea at the time as it blended in with the surrounding antiques, but my back regularly suffered from sitting in that chair. Today, as an internet developer, I have found that ergonomic office chairs are a wonderful thing. I might miss the look of my old wooden chair sometimes, but not after a long work day seated in front of my desk when I am not suffering in back pain.