ANGLEPOISE – Portsmouth, Hampshire, England
The Heritage: The history of Anglepoise began in 1932, when British automotive engineer George Carwardine invented a new kind of 4-spring mechanism. Partnering with spring-makers Herbert Terry & Sons, the iconic Anglepoise lamp was born. While it famously guided the hands of World War II navigators and mid-century architects, it remains one of the most recognisable pieces of British industrial design in history.
The Verdict: Anglepoise earns its place on the Ledger through its absolute refusal to create temporary products. They are the antithesis of the cheap, plastic desk lamp that breaks after a year. Recognising their responsibility to their own heritage, Anglepoise now backs their lamps with a "Guaranteed for Life" promise. They have designed their lights to be fully repairable, supplying spare parts to ensure that an Anglepoise bought today can genuinely be passed down to the next generation.
(Editorial Note: While Anglepoise offshore parts of their modern lines, their iconic Giant models are still hand-built in Portsmouth).
Core Products: The UK-built Giant floor lamps.