Of all the great achievements of science and invention, the production and application of artificial light ranks amongst the highest. Few human endeavors have had such a far-reaching influence upon the development of civilization. Today we take electric lighting for granted, yet just over a hundred years ago transforming night into day at the flick of a switch was hailed as nothing short of miraculous. ...

Designed to be a companion to the classic title 1000 Chairs,this two-volume edition contains an awesome selection of over 1200 lights. Presented chronologically by decade are history's most interesting electric lights, from Swan and Edison's first incandescent light bulbs to Tiffany's beautiful leaded glass shades to completely outrageous designs from the late 1960s and 1970s to the latest high-tech LED products.All major styles are represented here - Arts & Crafts, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Modern Movement, De Stijl, Postwar, Pop,Radical, Post-Modern and Contemporary - in two volumes of truly illuminating works. This definitive reference work is a must-have for collectors and design fans.

Contents / Inhalt / Sommaire

Introduction:The evolution

of artificial light

Einleitung: Die Evolution des kvnstlichen Lichts

Introduction: L'evolution de I'eclairage artificiel

Lights from 1878 to 1959

Leuchten von 1878 bis 1959

Les luminaires, de 1878 a 1959

Index / Manufacturersl / Bibliography /

Picture credits / cknowledgements

Contributors' brographies