1950s Lamp Styles

TV Lamps

• The TV lamp is an American phenomenon. The small ceramic lamps were available in many designs, with animals being a common theme. Lamps shaped like horses, dogs and panthers were commonly situated on top of the black and white television sets of the 1950s. A low-wattage bulb was located behind the figurine, emitting an indirect light that was thought to relieve eyestrain caused by watching television. As television sets increased in size and became easier to watch, TV lamps became less common. The lamps have become treasured 1950s memorabilia.

Atomic Lamps

• The Cold War was a part of everyday life in the 1950s. "Atomic" home decor reflected the fear of atomic warfare and the space race with Russia. Atomic lamps featured cones, globes and other geometric shapes, giving the lamps a futuristic appeal. Metal frames and bases, as well as chrome shades, provided sleek and smooth surfaces. Fabric lamp shades were printed with space-inspired graphics featuring planets, galaxies and boomerang patterns.

Bubble Lamp

• The "Bubble Lamp" was a classic design in the 1950s. The design was created in 1947 by George Nelson and was manufactured by Howard Miller, son of Herman Miller, from the early 1950s to the late 1970s. The bubbles were available in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. The lamps were made from a lightweight steel and a translucent plastic. The iconic designs are permanent pieces at The Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Kitschy

• The sometimes zany and often playful style of the 1950s has been described as "kitschy." The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines kitsch as "something that appeals to popular or lowbrow taste." Lamps were often fun and fanciful and reflected the homeowner's interests more than a decorating style. It was not unusual to find ceramic lamp bases in unusual shapes varying from women's legs to poodles to tiki lamps resting on a living room end table.