Original 1227™ Brass Desk Lamp

Our Story

Anglepoise®

About Us

A British Brand

In 1932, when vehicle suspension engineer George Carwardine invented a spring, crank and lever mechanism that could be positioned with the lightest of touch yet would maintain its position once released, a blueprint for the first Anglepoise® task lamp was born. The Anglepoise® lamp has subsequently achieved iconic status and its engaging, anthropomorphic form is recognised and admired all around the world. Over the years, the Anglepoise® lamp has been developed under the careful watch of the founding Terry family, without ever losing sight of its primary function, and unique, characterful form. From the creation of the Original 1227™ lamp, to the development of extended collections by esteemed industrial product designer Sir Kenneth Grange, to recent collaborations with renowned designers Paul Smith and Margaret Howell, incomparable British design remains at the heart of this progressive British brand. Today, Anglepoise® lamps can be found today in homes and of offices, restaurants, bars and hotels in more than 50 countries.

Our History

Invented by a Car Designer

In 1932 automotive engineer George Carwardine develops a formula for a new type of spring. He discovers that pivoting arms supported by a sequence of these springs can be repositioned with the lightest touch yet will remain perfectly in place once released. Carwardine has just created the blueprint for an Anglepoise®.

Today — Foremost British designer Paul Smith continues an on-going collaboration with Anglepoise®.

In 2009, in recognition of its iconic status, the Original 1227™ featured on a Royal Mail stamp alongside iconic British designs.

In 2004 renowned British fashion designer Margaret Howell, an admirer of British modernism, collaborates with Anglepoise®

In 2003 British product designer Sir Kenneth Grange becomes Design Director of Anglepoise®.

The Roald Dahl Museum asks for a larger-than-life version of Dahl’s beloved Original 1227™ lamp - our first Giant lamp is born.

A WW2 plane fitted with an Anglepoise® navigators lamp is salvaged from Loch Ness in 1985, remarkably the lamp still works.

In 1935, Carwardine and Terry’s create a 3-spring Anglepoise® - the Original 1227™, the archetypal Anglepoise®.

Carwardine turns to springmakers Herbert Terry & Sons to manufacture the first Anglepoise® lamp: the 4-spring Model 1208™.

In 1932 automotive engineer George Carwardine develops a formula for a new type of spring - the blueprint for an Anglepoise®.

A Minor Miracle of Balance
Sir Kenneth Grange

Product Timeline

2017

Original 1227™ Mini Ceramic

Formed from the purest bone china, the white, gloss-finished shades or our Original 1227™ Mini Ceramic lights turn translucent when turned on, radiating a soft, ambient light around the room.

2015

Original 1227™ Mini

Scaled down to two-thirds of its original size, the Original 1227™ Mini Collection is playful, more versatile and contemporary version of our most iconic and best loved 1930’s Anglepoise® design.

2011

Type 75™ Mini

2011

Type C™

Created by Sir Kenneth Grange, this remarkable lamp incorporates touch sensitive dimming, light level memory, energy efficient LED's and a balance mechanism that responds to the lightest touch. The result is a seductive form that adds a level of sophistication and elegance.

2008

Type 1228™

Designed by Sir Kenneth Grange in 2008, Type 1228™ offers all the functionality of the traditional Anglepoise®, but with a more contemporary aesthetic and exceptional versatility.

2004

Type 75™

Designed by Sir Kenneth Grange, Type 75™ is inspired by a 1970’s version of the Anglepoise® Apex 90®, originally launched in the 1950’s. Grange reinterprets the modernist lines and no-frills functionality of its predecessor for new generations.

2003

Type 3™

Sir Kenneth Grange's first lamp as Anglepoise® Design Director, the Type 3™ featured chrome plated solid steel and was influenced by the earlier Original 1227™ lamps by George Carwardine.

1985

Apex 90

The Apex 90 was designed to be a modern take on the Original 1227™.

1973

Model 90

The Model 90 introduced a range of colours, including one that inspired Margaret Howell's Yellow Ochre colour to the Type 75™ lamp that's available today.

1960

Model 75

The Model 75 became one of the inspirations behind Kenneth Grange's Type 75. It is one of the earliest designs featuring a different shade shape from our Original 1227™.

1938

Model 1227

The Model 1227 added many smaller design details, such as the removal of the small shade vents on older iterations. It also saw the introduction of the two-step base, which is consistent with all our Original 1227™ lamps today.

1935

Model 1227

The Model 1227 was an evolution of the 1208, making it more suitable for a domestic environment. It is commonly recognised for its three-spring mechanism that's available in our lamps today.

1933

Model 1208

George Carwardine licensed his design to spring maker, Herbert Terry & Sons, who already supplied the springs for his lamps. Not long after, the Anglepoise® name was registered and the 4-spring ‘Model 1208’ went into volume production.

1932

Model 1208 Prototype

In 1932, car designer George Carwardine unveil his remarkable invention - a 4-spring lamp, combining unprecedented freedom of movement and perfect balance due to its patented constant spring mechanism. Soon demand for the lamp far outstripped Carwardine’s small-scale supply, so he sought the help of Herbert Terry & Sons.

2017 Original 1227™ Mini Ceramic

2015 Original 1227™ Mini

2011 Type 75™ Mini

2011 Type C™

2008 Type 1228™

2004 Type 75™

2003 Type 3™

1985 Apex 90

1973 Model 90

1960 Model 75

1938 Model 1227

1935 Model 1227

1933 Model 1208

1932 Model 1208 Prototype

Our Designers

About our Designers

From the creation of our now iconic Original 1227™ lamp, the brainchild of British automotive engineer, George Carwardine ... to the development of extended collections by esteemed industrial product designer, Sir Kenneth Grange to our most recent venture, a collaboration with Britain's foremost designer, Paul Smith, incomparable British design is the heart and soul of our company. Not so surprising then that examples of our lamps can be found in homes and offices, restaurants, bars and hotels and even in museums all around the world; nor that the Royal Mail should celebrate our Original 1227™ design alongside such fine British Design Classics as the Mini, Penguin books and the Routemaster Bus.

George Carwardine

When automotive engineer, George Carwardine chanced upon a formula for a new kind of spring, he had created the blueprint for a groundbreaking articulated task lamp that could combine ultimate flexibility with perfect stability. Two years later the Original 1227™ was born.

Sir Kenneth Grange

Having previously identified the Anglepoise® as his favourite design and a ‘minor miracle of balance’, Sir Kenneth Grange became Design Director of Anglepoise® in 2003.

Paul Smith

Paul Smith is Britain’s foremost designer, renowned for his creative aesthetic, which combines tradition and modernity.

Margaret Howell

Esteemed British designer Margaret Howell has frequently championed the Anglepoise® lamp, admiring the similar design qualities that are the essence of her clothing: simplicity, functionality, authenticity and timelessness.

Anglepoise®

A British Brand