Anglepoise Model WL-3 Desk Lamp by Anglepoise Lighting Ltd, England, c.1970s

Anglepoise Model WL-3 Desk Lamp by Anglepoise Lighting Ltd, England, c.1970s

Designed and manufactured by Anglepoise Lighting Ltd, the WL-3 desk lamp forms part of the company’s long tradition of engineering adjustable task lighting. Retaining the articulated arm and pivoting shade that made Anglepoise famous, the WL-3 was developed as a practical working lamp for desks, studios and workshops during the latter half of the twentieth century.

The Anglepoise story began in 1932 when automotive engineer George Carwardine patented a spring mechanism that allowed a lamp to remain perfectly balanced in almost any position. His invention revolutionised task lighting, combining precision engineering with ease of movement. Production was undertaken by Herbert Terry & Sons, a Redditch-based manufacturer already renowned for its expertise in spring making, and together they produced what would become one of Britain’s most recognisable industrial designs.

Throughout the twentieth century, Anglepoise expanded its range while remaining faithful to Carwardine’s original balancing principle. Models such as the WL-3 demonstrate how the company adapted its designs for changing workplaces while retaining the mechanical ingenuity that defined the brand.

This example features a painted metal shade, adjustable arm and weighted circular base, allowing the lamp to be positioned smoothly for focused task lighting.