Blog

  • History of Space Age Sputnik Lighting

    10:46 PM PST, 9/24/2012

    On October 4th 1957, the Soviets launched Sputnik 1, the world's first Earth-orbiting artificial satellite. With the launch of Sputnik 1, the Space age was born. It was an aluminum 22-inch sphere with four spring-loaded whip antennae trailing, it weighed only 183 pounds and traveled an elliptical orbit that took it around the Earth every 96 minutes. It carried a small radio beacon that beeped at regular intervals and could by means of telemetry verify exact locations on the earth's surface. The reaction for the US was upsetting that the Soviets were the first to do this. Eisenhower administration had to move quickly to restore confidence at home and prestige abroad. NASA was born and become a functioning, one year after Sputnik on October 1, 1958. Our home life reflected the new world we live in. By the 1960's and into the 70's the hot trends were anything and everything related to space. Round ball or Orb ceiling lights, Sputnik Chandeliers, Sputnik Clocks, Moon ball chairs and the list goes on. Sputnik Chandelier link http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mid-Century-Modern-Sputnik-Ball-Atomic-Orb-Chandelier-Ceiling-Hanging-Light-Lamp-/280973935639?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item416b5a0417 Orb Light link http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280973935639&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT
  • Vintage Tole Metal Hanging Light Chandelier

    11:04 AM PST, 12/8/2011

    Check out his vintage chandelier I just listed. This is a great project light. With some of the great new colors they offer in spray paint these days you could make an awesome light out of this. Get creative, do you have any ideas? What about painting it a retro orange and drill holes around the bottom to hang beads or crystal prisms? or maybe mixed color of black and white? Hum, maybe I'd like to keep this one for myself.