George Nelson (1908-1986) was, together with Charles and Ray Eames, one of the founders of American modernism. His best-known furniture designs have all become icons of mid-century modernism, and include the marshmallow sofa, coconut chair, and platform bench. He also created these boldly graphic wall clocks for Howard Miller:
Although he was trained as an architect at Yale, he became extremely well known as a graphic designer, an industrial designer, an interior designer and exhibition designer. He was the design director at Herman Miller from 1945–1972, where he also pioneered the practice of corporate image management, graphic programs and signage.
In 1947, George also created the “Bubble Lamp” line. Inspired by a self webbing material used to mothball ships in New York, he was convinced it would be perfect for lighting. He made a metal frame, tracked down the source of the webbing material and by the next day he created a big glowing sphere and the Bubble Lamp was born.
George Nelson Bubble Lamps made by Modernica. Available at Pomelo Home in Singapore.
Here’s a description from a 1968 Howard Miller sales brochure, that reads like it could’ve been written yesterday:
“Airy, lighthearted “Bubbles” designed by George Nelson, make lamps and lighting fixtures that are so effective and functional in today’s contemporary settings. Their pleasing shapes are fashioned in sturdy, light-weight steel and a special translucent white plastic. The “Bubbles” will always cast a soft, even light.”
Howard Miller manufactured the lamps from the early 1950s until the line was discontinued in 1979. But Modernica has faithfully re-issued the Bubble Lamps to the exact specifications using the original Howard Miller factory tooling.
The Nelson Bubble Lamps are now in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York (MoMA).
The George Nelson Bubble Lamp collection comes in Saucer, Ball, Cigar, Apple, Pear, Criss Cross, Lantern and Propeller shapes, and includes table lamps, pendant lamps, sconce lamps and floor lamps. Materials: Steel skeleton, self-webbing soft plastic polymer. Made in USA.
(George never actually named the different lamp designs and they were simply given numbers by Howard Miller. A large Saucer lamp was simply sold under “Bubble Lamp H-727,” a large Ball lamp was sold under “Bubble Lamp H-725”.)
Sources: Wikipedia, Georgenelson.org, DWR, AIGA. Photo links to Flickr users Sweet Juniper, Hot Funk, Nailmaker.
Wednesday, 24 October 2007 at 11:39 pm |
My bubble lamp is just beyooootiful. :-) Oh, I found the little magnets! Tercicir lah. Not sure where/how to place them. Remind me next time you guys come over…
Tuesday, 4 March 2008 at 10:45 pm |
[…] I could use a stylin’ new sofa myself. It’ll go nicely with my beyoootiful George Nelson bubble lamp. […]
Tuesday, 9 February 2010 at 11:35 am |
i REALLY REALLY wish i knew the name of the material used on these…
Saturday, 12 May 2012 at 10:31 pm |
The George Nelson Bubble Lamps are beautiful. Unfortunately the service at Pomelo really sucks and the the sales staff are downright rude.
Sunday, 13 May 2012 at 10:55 am |
Hi Alvin, thank you for stopping by. We strive to provide the best service possible, so “downright rude” is really surprising—even shocking—to hear. Could you detail your experience a little more? When you visited, who served you, etc? And we can then try to make it right for you.
If you prefer, you can also drop us a note at shop (at) pomelo (dot) com.sg.
Thursday, 31 May 2012 at 1:07 pm |
Hi Alvin, I posted your comment on our Facebook page, hoping to reach you there, but haven’t heard from you. Here’s the link—which also allows us to share an alternative view to yours:
If you read this, please do contact us.