“In the early 1930s, the Anglepoise lamp was designed using a newly developed concept of balancing weights using springs and levers. This enabled a light to be angled in any position which was perfect for work and study. The first lamp was made by the British company, Herbert Terry and Sons and designed by George Carwardine, a car designer. First shown at the British Industries Fair in Birmingham in February 1934, this four spring design was an instant hit.
Photo courtesy of Simon Whitmore for FW Media: Style Your Modern Vintage Home
However it took another year for the design to become less cumbersome with one spring less and now aimed at the domestic market.
My husband loves angle-poises. He keeps getting them from the boot sale, finds they don’t work and then they gather dust in our shed! He refuses to part with any of them. We definitely need a working model!