Brand Overview: Anglepoise
Anglepoise keeps the iconic spring-tension arm even with collaborations with other designers, like this Paul Smith Type 75.
We're all familiar with the spring-tension task lamp. This ubiquitous, quotidian object can be found in studios, offices and workshops the world over.
What you may not know is that it originated as the brainchild of British car engineer George Carwardine in 1932. His brilliant spring, crank and lever mechanism design allowed users to position the lamp to point precisely in the direction it was needed. With a simple and gentle push or pull, the lamp shade could be moved into the perfect position, but once released, would stay in its intended place. Thus was born the first Anglepoise lamp.
Throughout the next decades, Anglepoise lighting exploded in popularity, becoming one of the key icons of great British design. It could be found in workshops, restaurants, hotels, and even in the domestic settings of the living room and the bedroom. Several iterations of the original design manifested over the years, evolving to reflect contemporary design trends. Each iteration maintained the iconic adjustable, spring-tension arm, a feature that makes an Anglepoise lamp instantly recognizable.
Today, the Anglepoise line-up consists of 5 main series:
Original 1227 - a truly classic design, based on the Model 1227 design produced between 1935 - 1938
Type 75 - the most popular series by Anglepoise today, based on the minimalist, futuristic Apex 90 design produced between 1985 - 2003
Type 80 - a stylish design with sharper edges and an attractive 'halo' light-escape feature in the lamp shade, which allows for a warm ambient glow in dimmer environments
Type 1228* - a contemporary design featuring a translucent ceramic shade that harks back to vintage reading lamps
90 Mini Mini - a truly flexible, USB-powered lamp that easily adapts to any space, no matter how small, while still providing powerful illumination
*not currently available in Canada
Although originally designed for the desk, most Anglepoise lighting series are also available as ceiling-mounted and wall-mounted fixtures, as well as floor lamps. Additional hardware can also be purchased to transform your freestanding desk lamp into a wall mounted lamp or to reduce the footprint of your lamp (using a desk clamp or desk insert). It truly is a lamp designed for life, allowing maximum flexibility even when your needs change.
Since 2003, the creative team at Anglepoise has been under the leadership of renowned British industrial designer Sir Kenneth Grange. Widely recognized for his user-centred designs for all sorts of everyday objects from hand mixers to mailboxes, he has continued to apply the same design philosophy to his work at Anglepoise. His popular Type 75 lamp has also become the basis of collaborations with other icons of British design, including Paul Smith and Margaret Howell.
For tight places, the 90 Mini Mini is the best choice. It’s a great option if your desk is overflowing with ink bottles like ours!
So why Anglepoise at Phidon? So much of our catalog consists of objects that are work-related. From comfortable writing pens to smooth writing papers, we've always wanted to provide the best experience at your desk for improved productivity. But one key part of productivity and comfort that we've neglected until now is lighting!
We all know having adequate lighting can make all the difference in maintaining focus and reducing fatigue. The adjustable lighting from Anglepoise can help to create a workspace that is adaptable to your changing needs. But they're not only a pleasure to use, they're also incredibly beautiful to look at. More than just a really good lamp, they're also a wonderful piece of design that can really elevate your space.
Another reason we fell in love with Anglepoise is the brand’s commitment to sustainability. The company stands behind their claim that their products are built to last by offering lifetime warranty. Not only that, they also have replacement parts available should the rare occasion occur wherein a small part of your lamp stops functioning as it should. In this day and age when we need to be more conscious of how we consume, it's all the more important to consider durability and repairability when making our purchasing decisions.
We carry a number of Anglepoise desk lamps that are available for immediate purchase and shipment at our shop, some of which are on display so that you can have a look at these wonderful lamps before making your decision to purchase. However, we are also happy to accommodate special requests for non-stock items, including ceiling pendants or wall lamps. Do note, however, that special order items may require an additional shipping time of 6-8 weeks. If you're interested in placing a special order, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
Do you have a favourite Anglepoise fixture? Let us know in the comments.