Manhattan Halogen Floor Lamp
Design Date 1989
Manufacturer Royal Philips Electronics (1891–present), Amsterdam, Netherlands
Media metal and plastic
Dimensions 74 x 12 1/2 x 9 1/2 inches
Dr. Robert Blaich (1930–2021, American) earned a BFA in architecture and industrial design at Syracuse University before joining Herman Miller in 1953, where he worked in marketing and product development, eventually reaching the position of Vice President of corporate Design and Communications (1968-1979), working closely with consultant designers Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson and Alexander Girard. In 1980 he left Herman Miller to become head of design at Royal Philips Electronics in the Netherlands, a position he held until 1992. Blaich is known for his contributions to the design profession and was a pioneer in corporate design leadership and strategy, supervising the work of 250 designers in 28 international locations and earning numerous international design awards while at Philips. The Manhattan Lamp, designed under his direction, uses a single halogen bulb suspended behind a light blue plastic disc diffuser. The top of the lamp can be tilted up or down to direct the light and the lamp is controlled with an on/off switch and a dimmer dial in the round foot base.
ON VIEW in Postmodern Gallery 8
Markings "PHILIPS ELECTRONIC" printed on side of base
Credit Line Collection Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art; Gift of Dr. Robert Blaich
Accession Number 2014.0046
