Spring Light - The Anglepoise Story by Jonathan Glancey

In 1932, vehicle suspension engineer George Carwardine designed the spring, crank and lever mechanism that became the blueprint for the first Anglepoise lamp. Enchanting the world with its light-to-the-touch and anthropomorphic design, the unique and characterful form has adorned the worktables of everyone, from writers to engineers, from the Second World War through to the 21st century. Cozy as it is utilitarian, the intimately focused pool of light the Anglepoise creates around an individual’s work is as poetic as it is practical. Today, the lamp is a sure sign of quality and has been hailed as a hallmark of British design.

Spring Light details a fascinating history of this household item that the armchair architect, designer and engineer will enjoy.

Jonathan Glancey is a journalist, author and broadcaster. An Honorary Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects, he writes for the Daily Telegraph, the Economist, Unherd and The Critic among other publications and websites. He was Architecture and Design correspondent of the Guardian from 1997 to 2012. His architectural books include The Story of Architecture, Lost Buildings, 20th Century Architecture, Architecture: A Visual History, London: Bread and Circuses and John Betjeman on Churches. He is Patron of The Betjeman Society.