The Anglepoise lamp is arguably the most successful desk lamp of the 20th century. The perfect combination of form and function, it was patented in 1932 by George Carwardine. Key to the lamp’s development was Carwardine’s specialist spring design meaning the lamp would retain any position.
We have specialised in rare models of the Anglepoise since we opened The Design Gallery in 2002, all of which are restored to the highest standards by “H”, our lighting specialist.
The man behind the lamp
George Carwardine became an apprentice at the Whiting Auto Works in Bath, England, in 1901. On completion of his apprenticeship, he spent seven years as a journeyman engineer in various workshops until he joined Horstmann Cars Ltd as chargehand.
He became foreman at Horstman Cars (the company dropped the second “n” around 1920) a year later then works manager in 1916. As manager he was responsible for the organisation of labour and was Chief Designer. By this time Carwardine was a noted engineer with particular expertise in vehicle suspension systems.
Horstman Cars produced around 3000 vehicles up to 1929 when it ceased car production. During Carwardine’s time with the company one of their design innovations was an alternative suspension system with spring technology. The suspension system, the ‘Horstman Bogie’ or ‘Horstman Drive’, was so successful it continued to be produced after Horstman car production ceased and became a key component of military vehicles.
It was in 1924 that Horstman got into financial difficulties. Carwardine left and set up his own business, Cardine Accessories, at 20 High Street, Bath, though he resumed connection with Horstman three years later. As director of Cardine Accessories and with several patents to his credit he was closely involved with development of his inventions.
He patented his first design, model 1208, in 1932 (patent number 404615). This used four of his special springs; it was produced by his own company, Cardine Accessories. Carwardine intended to market the lamp under the name ‘Equipoise’ but that was already trademarked, so the ‘Anglepoise’ was born.
Demand for the 1208 quickly became so great that Cardine could not keep up. In 1934 Carwardine licensed the lamp’s production to the Terry Spring Company in Redditch. Terry already produced the Anglepoise springs.
Terry assumed manufacture while Carwardine concentrated on design; he patented the first three spring version, the 1227, in 1934 (patent number 433617).
The 1227 gained prominence at the outbreak of World War 2. It was marketed as ‘the ideal blackout lamp’ as it would direct light to where it was needed without it leaking through gaps in blackout coverings.
During the war Carwardine developed a version of lamp, known as the Model 5C/1079 aka the AM or Air Ministry, for use over navigational workstations in military aircraft. They had to be lightweight, robust, compact and adjustable – and, importantly, would not have magnetic effects on other equipment.
George Carwardine died in 1947 but the Anglepoise continues to be produced and developed by Herbert Terry and Sons; members of the Terry family are still directors of the company.
Model developments
Our lighting expert, who has restored thousands of these lamps for over 50 years, explains: “The original Anglepoises had the shade and three-stepped base painted in the same colour; arms were either chromium plated (at extra cost), or painted black. The paint was often in a “Krinkle” finish, fashionable at the time and useful in masking defects in the casting. The two-stepped base superseded the three-stepped prototype in the late 1930s. The next design change was to cover the rough cast iron base with a steel pressing; the tight fitting and smooth surface allowed for a more refined finish.
“The biggest change was to reduce the number of components and to replace the steel or brass arms with ones made from aluminium. The shade was made slightly broader with the classic rolled “beaded” edge. These later lamps had chromium-plated fixtures, all other parts were painted, some in colours. Black or cream were common and a few were produced in mottled gold. Later on, red, green and yellow Anglepoises proved a popular choice. In the 1960s, the beaded shade was replaced with a machine made, smooth edged shade. The chromed fixtures were made of white nylon. The range of colours was extended to include white and grey. Colours were a little more popular but the majority were still painted cream or black.
“Trolley versions were introduced at an early stage and the original trolley base was flatter and had knobs at the end of the legs. Trolleys are less common because they were intended for a specialised application, as were bench-mounted and wall-mounted Anglepoise variants.”
The Design Gallery’s stock of Anglepoises require customised restoration, which is done in batches. The lamps are broken down into their component parts. The paint is stripped and the sheet base is polished and chromium plated. The aluminium arms are polished to a mirror finish. The shade is usually damaged and replaced with a faithfully reproduced new one made by a metal spinner based in the UK. The Anglepoise is reassembled and rewired using custom-made braided flex and new electric fittings to conform to modern safety requirements. The lamps are then portable appliance tested.
With thanks to “H” for his amazing lamps and historical knowledge; and to our client Tim Edwards for writing about George Carwardine
The Design Gallery was launched in 2002 to specialise in progressive design movements of the 19th and 20th Century. We met whilst studying at Sotheby’s Institute of Art and discovered that we shared a passion for design, especially Art Deco, Art Nouveau and the Arts & Crafts Movement.
