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Icon of Industrial Design: the Wagenfeld Lampe by Wilhem Wagenfeld

wagenfeld00lampe — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:24:32 CST

When it comes to the subtle art of industrial design, probably no other name holds more cultural weight than that of Wilhelm Wagenfeld. Widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential leaders of modern design in the 20th century, the German designer Wilhelm Wagenfeld helped pioneer modern industrial design. One of his creations that contributed greatly to this endeavor is the so-called Wagenfeld Lampe.

It is said that a man’s worth is best judged by their work. If that were the case, then for Wilhelm Wagenfeld it would be the Wagenfeld Lampe. Arguably Wagenfeld’s most popular industrial design, the Wagenfeld Lampe is a small geometric table lamp made of steel and plate glass. Wagenfeld designed the lamp in 1928 in collaboration with Katl Jacob Jucker during their stay at the famed Staatliches Bauhaus of Walter Gropius in Weimar, Germany. The lamp’s design was said to have been created as Wagenfeld’s solution to an assignment given to him by Lazlo Moholy-Nagy, his Hungarian professor and the acting administrator of the Bauhaus at the time. Because of its close association with the school, the Wagenfeld Lampe is also known to many as the Bauhaus Lamp.

What sets the Wagenfeld Lampe apart from its contemporaries was that it was streamlined in its design. The lamp basically consisted of three parts: a flat, circular base at the bottom, a tubular stand at the middle, and a spherical glass lampshade on top. The base and stand were made of nickel-plated steel, chromed steel or clear plate glass, while the lampshade is of mouth-blown opalescent glass made translucent to diffuse the light evenly. The Lampe’s design earned both Wagenfeld and Jucker praise, with critics calling it a beautiful design that made efficient use of materials.

Today the Wagenfeld Lampe is still being manufactured, most notably by the Technolumen company of Bremen, Germany.

The Wagenfeld Lampe: Classic Industrial Design for the Home

wagenfeld00lampe — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:21:12 CST

A common misconception about industrial design is that it only applies to machines and tools used in factories. Now while this holds a bit of truth, industrial design can also be applied to simple everyday objects as well. One such industrial which can easily blend into any home is the Wagenfeld Lampe.

As an applied art, industrial design aims to be aesthetically pleasing to the eye while being commercially viable at the same time. Both these qualities can be found in the Wagenfeld Lampe. Named after its creator, the renowned German designer Wilhelm Wagenfeld, the Wagenfeld Lampe is a simple, geometric glass and metal table lamp. The lamp is divided into three basic parts: the flat circular base, a tube-like stand, and a globular opalescent glass lampshade. In addition the lamp also features a distinctive pull cord spout design as well as a fabric pull cord with a metal ball fitted on one end.

To date the Wagenfeld Lampe is manufactured in two versions. In the first version, the lamp's base and stand are made from clear plate glass. The stand also has a steel inner core, which houses the electrical feed line and gives the lamp a unique “X-ray look”. In the second version, however, both the base and stand is made from nickel-plated steel. Steel versions of Wagenfeld Lampe are generally less expensive than their glass counterparts, as they are less tedious to produce. What's more, the steel Lampe is especially sought after for the attractive yellowish patina the nickel plating gives off over time.

Wilhelm Wagenfeld designed the Wagenfeld Lampe with Karl Jacob Jucker in 1924 during their years as journeymen at the Bauhaus school in Germany. The lamp was said to have been made as the solution to an assignment given to Wagenfeld by his professor, the Hungarian artist Lazlo Moholy-Nagy. Because of this, the Wagenfeld Lampe is also sometimes referred to as the “Bauhaus Lamp”.

German Designer Wilhelm Wagenfeld : Father of the Wagenfeld Lampe

wagenfeld00lampe — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 04:00:00 CDT

Born on April 15, 1900 in Bremen, Germany, Wilhelm Wagenfeld is a designer, professor, and pioneer of industrial design in the early 20th century. Known mainly all over the world as the father of the Wagenfeld Lampe, Wagenfeld helped popularize the applied art of industrial design and remains one of the most famous designers of the Bauhaus tradition.

As a young boy, Wagenfeld studied drawing at Bremen's local art school and became an apprentice at the factory of Koch & Bergfeld. In 1918 Wagenfeldwas accepted at the Academy of Hanau but left shortly after to study at the Staatliches Bauhaus, a design school founded by famous modernist architect, Walter Gropius . It was during his journeyman years at the Bauhaus that Wagenfeld designed several of his now-famous designs, including that of the Wagenfeld Lampe. The Wagenfeld Lampe, which he designed in collaboration with his colleague Karl Jacob Jucker, was actually made as a solution to an assignment tasked to Wagenfeld by Bauhaus administrator Lazlo Moholy-Nagy.

After finishing his studies at the Staatliches, Bauhaus Wagenfeld worked as a designer and consultant for several firms, including the Lausizter Glasswerks, the Braun appliance company, and the WMF. Wagenfeld also began teaching for a while at the Bauhaus and at the Staatliche Kunsthochschuile in Berlin in 1931. When the Second World War broke out, Wagenfeld was one of the few German designers who refused to leave Germany. He was eventually conscripted by the Nazi government to fight at the Eastern Front, where he was captured by the Soviets and imprisoned at a prisoner-of-war camp. Released after the war, Wagenfeld continued his teaching career and set up a design studio, the Werkstatt Wagenfeld, which he managed up until the 1970s. Then in 1980, Wagenfeld collaborated with the Technolumen company to mass-produce the Wagenfeld Lampe and his other designs.

Wilhelm Wagenfeld died at the age of 90 years old in May 1990. Today he is remembered as a cultural icon in his country, and his Wagenfeld Lampe and other designs remain highly popular as reproduction pieces.

Father of the Wagenfeld Lampe: Industrial Design Leader Wilhelm Wagenfeld

wagenfeld00lampe — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 22:07:00 CDT

When it comes to the applied art of industrial design, probably no other name rings a bell louder than that of Wagenfeld. Recognized as one of the greatest designers of the 20th century, the German industrial designer and Bauhaus prodigy Wilhelm Wagenfeld some of what are now iconic pieces of industrial design such as the Wagenfeld Lampe and Moka Machine.

Born on April 15, 1900 in Bremen, Germany, Wagenfeld was first inclined to drawing and worked as an apprentice at the factory of Silberwarenfabrik Koch & Bergfeld as a young boy. In 1918 Wagenfeld studied at the Academy of Hanau but later transferred to the Bauhaus design school where he stayed for several years. It was during his journeyman years at Bauhaus that Wagenfeld refined himself as a designer, and it was here that he made his famous Wagenfeld Lampe or Bauhaus table lamp in collaboration with Karl Jacob Jucker.

After his studies at the Bauhaus were completed, Wagenfeld went to work for several companies and factories including the Lausizter Glassworks Factory, the kitchenware giant WMF and the Braun appliance company. In addition, Wagenfeld also taught for a short period of time at the Staatliche Kunsthochschule in Berlin in 1931. When the Second World War broke out, Wagenfeld was among the few German designers who refused to leave Germany and was sent to the Eastern Front where he was captured and imprisoned by the Soviets in a prisoner-of-war camp. When the war ended and he was released from prison Wagenfeld continued his teaching career and set up his own studio, the Werkstatt Wagenfeld, which he managed up to the 1970s. In 1980, Wagenfeld also began collaborating with manufacturers to mass-produce his Wagenfeld Lampe and other industrial designs.

Wilhelm Wagenfeld died on May 1990 in Stuttgart, Germany. Today his Wagenfeld Lampe and other designs are housed as collection pieces in various design museums worldwide and are manufactured as reproductions by various companies.

The Wagenfeld Lampe: Wilhelm Wagenfeld’s Bauhaus Lamp

wagenfeld00lampe — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:16:42 CDT

One of the most famous industrial designers of the 20th century, the German designer Wilhelm Wagenfeld made several notable industrials designs for various appliances for the home. However, none of Wagenfeld’s designs would probably be as popular as that of the Wagenfeld Lampe.

First introduced in 1924, the Wagenfeld Lampe is a steel-and-glass table lamp consisting of a disc-shaped base, a long syndical stand, and a spherical glass lampshade. Wagenfeld designed the Lampe in collaboration with Karl Jacob Jucker during their studies at the Bauhaus design school in Weimar, Germany, and was based on a prototype design Wagenfeld submitted as a solution to an assignment given by his professor, the Hungarian artist Lazlo-Moholy Nagy. Because of its association with the famous Bahaus school, the Wagenfeld Lampe is also commonly known as the Bauhaus Lamp.

Currently two versions of the Wagenfeld Lampe are made. In the first version, the base and stand of the Wagenfeld Lampe is constructed from high-grade nickel-plated steel. Later reproductions of the Lampe have replaced the nickel coating with chromium, but the nickel-plated versions are more sought after because of the attractive yellowish patina the nickel gives off over time. On the other hand, in the second variation of the Wagenfeld Lampe both the base and stand are made from thick plate glass. The interior of the stand also features a nickel-plated inner tube which houses the electrical feed line for the bulb. Both versions, however, are fitted with an opalescent glass lampshade. In addition, the Wagenfeld Lampe also features a distinctive spout design for the pull cord. The pull cord, in turn, is made from fabric and attached to a metal ball at one end.

Currently the Wagenfeld Lampe is manufactured by Technolumen of Bremen, Germany. Technolumen acquired the rights to manufacture the Lampe from Wagenfeld in 1980, and remains as one of the company’s premier products.

The Wagenfeld Lampe by Wilhelm Wagenfeld: 20th Century Industrial Design

wagenfeld00lampe — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:13:17 CDT

One of the most successful designers from the Bauhaus school of design, the German industrial designer Wilhelm Wagenfeld produced several iconic industrial designs. One of these designs is the Wagenfeld Lampe. Also called the Bauhaus Lamp, the Wagenfeld Lampe is a table lamp consisting of a disc-shaped base, a long cylindrical stand, and a half-spherical glass lampshade. The Lampe was designed by Wagenfeld in 1924 in collaboration with Karl Jacob Jucker, and was based on a concept design Wagenfeld made during his studies at the Bauhaus school in Weimar, Germany.

There are two versions of the Wagenfeld Lampe that is currently being manufactured: the steel version and the glass variation. In the steel version of the Wagenfeld Lampe, both the base and the stand are made from high-grade steel coated with a nickel finish. Later reproductions of the Lampe were also made with chrome plating, but the nickel finish lamps are more sought after as they develop an attractive yellowish patina over time. But the in the glass variation of the Lampe, the base and stand is made from thick plate glass instead of steel. The stand also features an inner nickel core wherein the electrical feed line for the bulb is housed. Both variations, however, have a spherical opal-colored lampshade, a distinct “spout” for the pull cord, and the pull cord itself which is made from fabric and attached with a metal ball at one end.

Although it was introduced in the 1920s, it was not until the final years of the 20th century that the Wagenfeld Lampe was first mass-produced commercially. In 1980, the Technolumen company acquired the rights to manufacture the Lampe from Wagenfeld, and was its sole product for several years. Today Technolumen is still the premier manufacturer of the Wagenfeld Lampe, although quality reproductions from other manufacturers have also appeared on the market.

Wilhelm Wagenfeld: Industrial Designer and the Man behind the Wagenfeld Lampe

wagenfeld00lampe — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:12:44 CDT

The Classic Wagenfeld Lampe by Wilhelm Wagenfeld

wagenfeld00lampe — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:12:11 CDT

Remembered as one of the major pioneers of modern industrial design, the German designer Wilhelm Wagenfeld devoted most of his life on improving industrial mass production and “redefining the weight of things”. Today his glass and metal creations, most of which he made for the Jenaer Glaswerk Schott & Gen., the Vereinigte Lausitzer Glaswerke, Rosenthal, WMF and Braun GmbH, are regarded as classic examples of industrial design. One such timeless design by Wagenfeld that is still being produced today is the aptly named Wagenfeld Lampe.

One of Wagenfeld’s most popular industrial designs, the Wagenfeld Lampe is a table lamp consisting of a flat, disc-shaped base, a cylindrical lamp stand and a semi-spherical lampshade on top. Wagenfeld designed the Lampe in 1924, and was completed in collaboration with Karl Jacob Jucker during their years at the Bahaus school of design in Germany. The prototype for the lamp’s design was said to have been a solution to an assignment given to Wagenfeld by his Bahaus professor, the Hungarian constructivism artist Lazlo Moholy-Nagy.

The Wagenfeld Lampe is made in two variations. On the first one, the Lampe’s base and stand is made from industrial grade steel coated with nickel. The nickel coating protects the steel from corrosion with the added bonus of acquiring an attractive yellowish patina over time. In the second variation, on the other hand, both the stand and base is made from thick glass. The glass variation of the Wagenfeld Lampe is more expensive than its steel counterpart, as it is more difficult to produce. Both variations, however, are fitted with a translucent lampshade made from opalescent glass.

Currently, the Technolumen company of Bremen, Germany is the sole authorized manufacturer of the Wagenfeld Lampe. Technolumen started producing re-editions of the Lampe with permission from Wagenfeld in the 1980s, and was the company’s sole product for several years.

The Wagenfeld Lampe: Classic Industrial Design

wagenfeld00lampe — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:11:28 CDT

When the word “industrial design” is mentioned, people commonly think of large, bulky machines used in factories. However, this is only very far from the truth. Simply defined, industrial design describes designs for furniture, appliances and other products that were made with good aesthetics and commercial viability in mind. This means that the product should both look attractive and marketable enough for a consumer to take notice. Industrial design came about in the same period as the modernist Bauhaus movement in the early 20th century, and one of the designs that helped pioneer it is the iconic Wagenfeld Lampe by Wilhelm Wagenfeld.

One of the classic examples of industrial design, the Wagenfeld Lampe is a steel and glass table lamp consisting of a disc-shaped base, a long cylindrical shaft, and a semi-spherical glass lampshade. The design was conceptualized by German industrial designer Wilhelm Wagenfeld in collaboration with fellow designer Karl Jacob Jucker in 1924 during their stay at the prestigious Bahaus design school in Germany. As the story goes, Wagenfeld was said to have created the Lampe design as part of the solution to an exercise given to him by his professor, Hungarian artist and Bahaus director Lazlo Moholy-Nagy. This Bahaus roots eventually gave the Wagenfeld Lampe design the moniker “Bahaus Lamp”.

Despite being inspired by the industrialism, the Wagenfeld Lampe was originally made by hand. This painstaking and time-consuming method of production is in line with the detailed craftsmanship prevalent in designs produced in the Bahaus school. This high quality of workmanship, however, and the lamp’s simple geometric shapes earned Wagenfeld and Jucker the praise of critics, calling it an efficient design and the purest form of the industrial movement.

Currently, the Wagenfeld Lampe is made in two forms. In the first version, the base and shaft of the Lampe is made from high grade steel coated with nickel. The nickel coating gives ample protection to the steel against deterioration and gives off an attractive yellowish patina over time. On the other hand, in the second version the lamp both the shaft is constructed from thick glass. Both forms of the Lampe, however, share the same globular lampshade made from mouth-blown opalescent glass.

Although it was designed in 1924, it was not until the 1980s that the Wagenfeld Lampe was produced commercially in large quantities. Nearly 55 years after its creation, the Wagenfeld Lampe design was put into production by Bremen-based Technolumen and was the company’s sole product for several years. Technolumen later expanded to accommodate other Bahaus designers, but Wagenfeld’s industrial design still remains as its premier asset.

The Wagenfeld Lampe: Wilhelm Wagenfeld’s Finest Work

wagenfeld00lampe — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:10:29 CDT

Although he has made several designs in his career, German industrial designer Wilhelm Wagenfeld is most remembered for his iconic Wagenfeld Lamp. Also called the Bahaus Lamp, the Wagenfeld Lampe is a steel and glass table consisting of a rounded, flat base, a long cylindrical shaft, and the ball-shaped lampshade. Wagenfeld designed the Lampe with Karl Jucker in 1924 while at the prestigious Bahaus School of design in Germany. It was said that Wagenfeld, who was studying as a journeyman at Bahaus at the time, built the lamp as a solution to an exercise given to him by Bahaus administrator and painter Lazlo Moholy-Nagy.

The Wagenfeld Lampe is produced in two variations: a steel version and a glass version. In the steel version of the Lampe, the shaft and base is constructed from high-grade steel plated with nickel that gave the metal a pleasing yellowish patina. On the other hand, the glass version has the stand and base made from thick glass. The shaft also has a nickel-plated tube at its core in which the electrical feed line is housed, giving the lamp a somewhat X-ray appearance. Glass variations of the Lampe are generally more expensive than the steel version, as it is more difficult to manufacture. However, both versions feature a milky-white lampshade made of translucent glass to help diffuse the light evenly across a room.

The lamp’s straightforward geometric shapes, coupled with the fine craftsmanship distinctive of Bahaus craftsmen, garnered Wagenfeld and Jucker critical acclaim for its relative simplicity and efficient use of materials. It should also be noted that although the Wagenfeld Lampe was inspired by industrial products, it was entirely made by hand right down to the grinding and polishing. This hands-on approach to making the Wagenfeld Lamps still continues today, especially since some of the parts (such as the lampshade, which is mouth-blown) need to be hand-made in order to assure quality. Today the Wagenfeld Lampe is produced by Technolumen, a company based in Bremen, Germany. Technolumen acquired the rights to make the Lampe from Wagenfeld shortly after its establishment in 1980, and was the company’s first and sole product for several years. The company later expanded their catalogue however, but Wagenfeld’s design still remains as its flagship product. Currently both the glass and steel variations of the Wagenfeld Lampe are produced by Technolumen, and both are made to comply with stringent German quality control standards.

The Bahaus Wagenfeld Lampe by Wilhelm Wagenfeld

wagenfeld00lampe — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:09:12 CDT

Of all the schools and learning institutions on design in the 20th century, probably none was as influential as that of the Bahaus school in Germany. Founded by acclaimed architect/designer Walter Gropius in 1919 at Weimar, Germany, the Bahaus school was the breeding ground for the modern design movement and influenced some of the iconic modern industrial designs of the modern age. One such design is the Wagenfeld Lampe by Wilhelm Wagenfeld.

One of the most recognized industrial designers of our time, German designer Wilhelm Wagenfeld was also known as both a protégé and mentor of the Bahaus school. And one of his Bahaus-influenced designs is the Wagenfeld Lampe. Often called the “Bahaus Lamp”, the Wagenfeld Lampe is a table lamp consisting of a slender tubular stand, a rounded base, and a ball-shaped lampshade. The lamp was designed by Wagenfeld with the help of fellow designer Karl Jucker in 1924, wherein Wagenfeld was still studying as a journeyman under the guidance of renowned painter Lazlo Moholy-Nagy. The lamp prototype, as the story goes, was the solution to a project given by Nagy to Wagenfeld.

Being a product of Bahaus, the Wagenfeld Lampe exhibited the characteristics that were particularly Bahaus style: it was slim, simple, functional, and combined both fine and applied art. The lamp comes in two versions: glass and steel. In the steel version of the lamp, both the stand and the base are made from industrial grade steel. A layer of chromium plating protects the steel from scratches and gives it a glossy finish, although earlier models of the lamp were coated with nickel. These nickel-plated steel lamps are especially sought for their rarity, and can easily be distinguished by the pale yellowish patina the nickel gives off over time.

In the glass version of the Wagenfeld Lampe, on the other hand, the stand and the base is made of thick shatter-proof glass. The stand also contains a inner core made of nickel in which the electrical wiring is located, giving the lamp a distinctive “X-Ray” look. Glass Wagenfeld lamps are less common than their steel counterparts, however, as they are difficult and more expensive to manufacture. Nevertheless, both versions are fitted with an opalescent globe-shaped lampshade that is made translucent to help diffuse the light.

Because of its relatively simple construction of the Wagenfeld Lampe, both Wagenfeld and Jucker were hailed by critics to have achieved “maximum simplicity and greatest economy”. Also, it should be noted that despite being inspired by industrial products, the lamp was constructed entirely by hand. This tradition still goes on today, as modern reproductions of the Wagenfeld lamp still have its critical components handmade.

Wagenfeld Lampe – the Bahaus lamp

wagenfeld00lampe — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:08:28 CDT

Despite its relatively short existence, the Bahaus school in Germany preached the modern synthesis of fine and applied art. Founded in 1919 by renowned architect Walter Gropius, the characteristics of the Bahaus style, or International as it was also known, was that of “form follows function”, wherein there is the absence of ornamental elements and the harmony between function and design. One such embodiment of the Bahaus style is the so-called Wagenfeld Lampe.

One of the modern industrial designs that the Bahaus school has greatly influenced is the so-called Wagenfeld Lampe. Also known as the Bahaus Lamp, the Wagenfeld Lampe is a steel-and-glass table lamp designed by German industrial designer Wilhelm Wagenfeld in collaboration with Karl Jucker in1924. The Bahaus lamp was produced after the re-organization of the Bahaus school under the Hungarian painter Lazlo Moholy Nagy, and that the lamp was said to be a solution to an assignment given to Wagenfeld by Nagy.

Like most Bahaus-influenced designs, the Wagenfeld Lampe was constructed almost entirely of steel. Two versions of the lamp exist: the glass type and the steel type. In the steel version, the lamp’s tubular stand and base is constructed out of high-gauge steel coated with a layer of chrome. Earlier versions of the lamp were coated with a nickel finish instead of chrome, and are especially sought out due to the yellowish patina the nickel creates over time. In the glass version, on the other hand, the stand is made from a tubular glass with a nickel tube core, creating an “X-ray effect” that allows people to view the working parts of the lamp. Both versions, however, share the same milky-white industrial-grade globular lampshade that helps diffuse the light. In addition, the lamp also features a distinctive “spout” for the pull cord and an electrical feed line covered with black fabric.

Because Wagenfeld and Jucker used only basic geometric shapes- a circular base, cylindrical shaft, and a ball-like shade- they were credited to have achieved “both maximum simplicity and, in terms of time and materials, greatest economy” with the Wagenfeld Lampe. Ironically, despite the lamp’s industrial roots it should be noted that the first few productions of the Bahaus lamp was entirely hand-made, making the fabrication very difficult and time-consuming. However, modern reproductions of the Wagenfeld Lampe are mass-produced under state-of-the art automated manufacturing processes, with only several parts (such as the mouth-blown lampshade) still being crafted manually.

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wagenfeld00lampe — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:44:33 CDT

Wilhelm Wagenfeld: Father of the Wagenfeld Lampe and other Modernist Furniture Icons