Tensor lamp
 Tensor high intensity lamp prototype (ca 1959, Brass, steel, copper, plastic, glass). Kept at the Brooklyn Museum. Gift of Jay Monroe | |
| Product type | Small high-intensity low-voltage desk lamp |
|---|---|
| Produced by | Tensor Corporation |
| Country | United States |
| Introduced | 1960; 64 years ago (1960) |
| Discontinued | c. 1980; 44 years ago (1980) |
| Markets | United States |
A Tensor lamp is a trademarked brand of small high-intensity low-voltage desk lamp invented by Jay Monroe.[1][2] The lamp was mainly popular during the 1960s and 1970s.[3][4] The lamp was originally used by doctors and dentists, and later became more widely used.[5] The first prototype was created in 1959, and the lamp was commercialized in 1960 by the Tensor Corporation.
History
The first Tensor lamp consisted of a 12-volt automobile parking light bulb and a reflector made from a kitchen measuring cup. Monroe fixed the cup to a metal tube that was attached to a transformer, which reduced 115-volt house current to 12 volts. Because of the small bulb, the entire lamp could be made smaller with a light-directing shade.[5] Monroe was issued a patent for his invention.[6]
By 1963, the lamp was sold to the general public as a decorative desk lamp for home and office, and several other manufacturers soon entered the field.[1] Its main competitors during the 1960s were the similar-looking Lampette brand of lamps manufactured by Koch Creations,[1][7] the Mobilette,[1] a series of Italian designed lamps sold by Stiffel,[1] and Lytegem lamp designed by Michael Lax and manufactured by Lightolier.[8]
See also
- Tiffany lamp
- Tizio
- Tolomeo desk lamp
References
- ^ a b c d e Reif, Rita (March 21, 1964). "Interest in Tiny Lamp Rises". The New York Times. p. 17. ProQuest 115722599. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
- ^ "Tensor lamp inventor dies". United Press International. July 5, 2007. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
- ^ Ingersoll, John H. (January 1965). "Big Light in a Little Package". Popular Science. Vol. 151, no. 1. Bonnier Corporation. p. 151. ISSN 0161-7370 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Those little high-intensity lamps". Kiplinger's Personal Finance. Vol. 19, no. 6. Kiplinger Washington Editors. June 1965. pp. 35–36. ISSN 1528-9729 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b Martin, Douglas (July 2, 2007). "Jay Monroe, 80, Engineer Who Invented Tensor Lamp, Dies". The New York Times. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
- ^ US patent 3133703, Monroe, Jay, "Desk lamp structure", issued 1964
- ^ "Lampette Reading Lamp (model E6)". Museum of Modern Art.
- ^ Hall, Peter Alec (July 29, 1999). "Michael Lax: His kettle, lamp and cookware were design icons of the 60s". The Guardian.
