Retro and Vintage Lighting from the 1950s
Some background:
To gain more insight into the designs (and therefore also the lamps) from the 1950s, it makes sense to look at what was going on in society at the time. After years of war, another period of prosperity started, aimed at reconstruction. Many children were born (the so-called Baby Boom). There was a major housing shortage. The Cold War divided the world. The steady advance of electrical equipment, such as portable radios, record players and the first televisions. This electrical revolution included also various new appliances to ease running the household; the washing machine and the refrigerator, for example. It was also the time of Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Alfred Hitchcock and Audrey Hepburn. Recurring themes in designs of the 1950s: Due to the great lack of living space, saving space was essential. So functional furniture was designed. Think of: folding, extendable, height adjustable, stackable. In terms of style, often sober, somewhat Spartan, with mostly smooth surfaces. Light, bright colours were often used. This gives a more spatial effect in the small houses from that time. Experiments were also carried out with new, modern shapes and new materials. Plastic in particular was widely used. The steel pipe was also widely used in furniture. And of course, not to forget: formica and laminated materials. The Formica table is a typical design of that era. The style features as described above are also strongly reflected in the designs of lamps of the time
Retro and Vintage Lighting from the 1960s
The background:
The economy is growing - many people have work - this leads to an optimistic view of the future - And of course there is also the hippie movement. The housing shortage remains dire. Fridge, washing machine, television and telephone gradually enter the household. Especially the introduction of television causes a complete change in the interior of homes. The dining table with the lamp above it is no longer the central point in the house. The new center is the sofa, pointed towards the TV set. There is also a more playful relationship with the home environment. Everything was allowed in terms of design in the 1960s; colours, round shapes and certainly humour. It couldn't be crazy enough, really. Recurring themes in 60s designs · Bright colours · curved lines · soft shapes · corrugated foam · latex · plastic remained popular, because with this material you can easily make all kinds of crazy, special shapes. These style themes are also strongly reflected in design lamps from the 1960s.
