Poul Henningsen, “PH American” Desk Lamp

Tina Jørstain and Poul Erik Munk Nielsen, eds., Light Years Ahead: The Story of the PH Lamp, Copenhagen, 2000, p. 153

The main characteristics of the “American” table lamp, designed in 1931, are its revolving mechanism and linear silhouette, making it perfectly suited for the so-called American desks popular at the time. Henningsen himself used this model in his study at home. The design was only produced until the late 1930s. With opal glass shade and a metal arm and foot, the weight of the lamp is concentrated to the bottom of the base so that it cannot be knocked over. Without the shades, the lamp weighs approximately 5lbs – nearly twice as much as related table lamps from the PH series. The lamp was also produced in the size 4/3 and the metal parts could also be nickel-plated or patinated.