The Origins of Crompton Lamps Crompton Lamps became one of the best-known names associated with Britain’s early electrical lighting industry. Closely linked with lamp manufacturing, electrical engineering, and large-scale industrial infrastructure, the Crompton name emerged during a period when electric illumination was transforming homes, workplaces, factories, and public buildings across Britain. Today, Crompton is remembered …
The Origins of Tilley Lamps Tilley Lamps became one of the most recognisable names in British pressure lighting during the 20th century. Best known for paraffin pressure lanterns and portable lighting, Tilley supplied dependable illumination for homes, railways, workshops, military operations, camping, and industrial environments long before electric lighting became universally available. The wider Tilley …
Why Historic Lighting Brands Still Matter Many historic lighting manufacturers helped shape how homes, factories, railways, and public spaces were illuminated throughout the 20th century. While some of these companies no longer operate in their original form, their influence continues through vintage collectors, restoration projects, and modern interior design. From industrial pendant fittings to pressure …
An Icon in Motion On the banks of the Vltava River in Prague stands one of the city’s most distinctive modern landmarks: the Dancing House. Completed in 1996 and designed by Frank Gehry and Vlado Milunić, the building represents a shift towards contemporary architecture in a city long defined by its historic skyline. Often nicknamed …
Understanding W.A.S. Benson and Early Lighting Design W.A.S. Benson was one of the most important figures in early lighting design, helping shape the transition from traditional oil lamps to early electric lighting. Working during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, his designs reflected the principles of the Arts and Crafts movement, focusing on simplicity, …
Light and Life in the Sahara Across the vast landscapes of the Sahara, light has always played a vital role in daily life. For the Tuareg people, a nomadic culture spread across North Africa, lanterns are not simply decorative objects — they are practical tools shaped by the demands of desert living and long-distance travel. …
Light and Balance in Japanese Gardens Japanese stone lanterns, known as tōrō, are a traditional feature of temple grounds and gardens, where light is used with restraint and purpose. Rather than illuminating a space fully, these lanterns create a soft, guiding glow that enhances calm, balance, and reflection. Often found along pathways, near water, or …
Light and Celebration During Ramadan Throughout the month of Ramadan, streets, homes, and shops across Egypt glow with colourful lanterns known as fanous. These decorative lights are one of the most recognisable symbols of the holy month, bringing warmth and festivity to evenings marked by reflection, prayer, and community. As daylight fades and families gather …
Every spring, the streets and temples of Korea glow with thousands of colourful lanterns celebrating one of the most important events in the Buddhist calendar — the birth of the Buddha. Known as the Yeondeunghoe Lantern Festival, this centuries-old celebration transforms cities with light, colour, and spiritual symbolism. At the centre of the festival is …