A Brief History Of The Anglepoise Lamp

In this collaborative series with London’s Design Museum, senior curator Alex Newson selects treasured design icons from the institution’s permanent collection: Designer, Maker, User. In this video, he unveils the history behind the iconic Anglepoise Lamp.

This iconic 1930s design was actually designed by car engineer George Carwardine – what made it special was the ultimate flexibility of the design, thanks to the specific type of spring and lever mechanism that Carwardine created, which was patented in 1932. It meant that the lamp could be angled to face any direction and remain in that position, making it a great task light for industrial use, however it was introduced to the domestic market three years later.

The original design was the 1227, with many other models and updates created throughout the 20th century – it was only in 2003 that renowned British designer Kenneth Grange resurrected the 1227 and gave it a fresh, contemporary twist, which became the Anglepoise Type 3. The collaborations continue, with the likes of contemporary designers Margaret Howell and Paul Smith working with the brand to create limited editions.

Watch the video above to see the full story and discover the history of other design icons in the series, including Alvar Aalto’s Stool 60, Alessi’s Juicy Salif citrus squeezer, the Apple Mac, Thonet’s Bistro chair and Braun’s SK4 radio-phonograph.

Read more about the history of the lamp here.

About the author

Charlotte Luxford

Architecture & Design Editor

As Culture Trip's architecture and design expert, Charlotte has more than 12 years' industry experience, working for an array of national publications. Prior to joining Culture Trip, Charlotte was the editor of Grand Designs Magazine, steering the magazine in a new direction and overseeing a new look for the title. She has also worked for mass media organisation TI Media, providing content for Livingetc, Ideal Home, Country Homes & Interiors and Homes & Gardens. Charlotte has always had a passion for design and is also a qualified interior designer, having completed a diploma in her spare time. At Culture Trip, Charlotte has worked closely with institutions including the Design Museum and London Design Festival, as well as interviewing design heroes such as Thomas Heatherwick and Sir Terence Conran.