Table Lamp

Table Lamp Overview

Lamps were invented with one purpose in mind, and that was to see with a source of light. The first lamps were probably made from stone or clay, and something flammable was burned to produce an open flame for light. By the early 1800s fuel was an acceptable thing to use for lamps. Whale oil was used principally until kerosene began to be used around the middle of the century, as it was cheap, safe, and clean. But by the end of the 1800s, both oil and kerosene were becoming obsolete as fluorescent lighting and incandescent began to be used for lamps.

There are basically four types of table lamps: electric; fluorescent; halogen; and lava. The electric lamps used light bulbs first, which gave off a soft light that was evenly diffused. These lamps are extremely decorative and versatile. The fluorescent lamp is usually more expensive than the electric but provide a higher quality light that lasts longer. Halogen is the most common lamp that gives off the most light of all of them. Its halogen bulb lasts longer than the others. Lava is a table lamp but not used as a light source, but mainly as a decorative lamp.

The table lamp, or “shady lampshades”, is placed on a small, smooth surface is the lamp that has the most history to it. The base of the lamp is square or circular; the shades are tiltable and have a rotational switch or pull chain to turn it off and on. Out of the center comes a straight pillar with a light bulb on the top. This table lamp is number one with many of the older people as it is traditional; its popularity depends on what culture you are in. The desk lamp redesigned a new “one touch” that many people liked because of its easiness to touch it to turn it on or turn it off. Made of metal, these bases remain metal to this day with no changes due to their popularity. Some of the table desk lamps have an arm that the light is attached to, giving it a wide range of motion with the base staying stationary. If you want the desk type lamp that is flexible; an adjustable clamping base can be attached to the edge of a table or shelf.

Another desk table lamp uses a full-spectrum lighting with a range of light sources. They remain beneficial in reading documents or looking at the computer screen, because they maintain a natural light. Kids think this type of lamp is “cool” and they are beneficial to our eyes.

Mambo is Free Software released under the GNU/GPL License.