Long before overhead lights became common, people used candles or oil lamps to light up the dark. But it wasn’t until the late 1800s that the idea of a portable desk light — what we now call the table lamp — really took shape.
One of the earliest versions was the kerosene lamp, which had a flat base and glass chimney. Then came a huge breakthrough: Thomas Edison’s invention of the light bulb. This paved the way for electric table lamps to enter homes and libraries in the early 1900s.
The table lamp wasn’t just about function — it became a part of interior décor. In the 1920s and 30s, designers experimented with Art Deco shapes, coloured glass, and carved bases. The iconic anglepoise lamp, created in 1932 by George Carwardine, allowed users to move the lamp freely while keeping the light steady. It was a game-changer for students, writers, and workers alike.
Today, table lamps come in all styles — vintage, modern, quirky, or sleek. Some use LEDs with touch sensors, USB ports, or even colour-changing modes to suit moods. Yet their purpose remains the same: to bring focused light closer to us, right where we need it.
From bedtime reading to late-night homework, table lamps have quietly helped us for over a century. All thanks to that simple idea — bring the light to the desk, not the other way around.
Lampshade science
Lampshades aren’t just for decoration — they control glare and direct light downward for better focus.