1989.109, Bubble lamp, designer: George Nelson, manufacturer: Howard Miller Clock Co., designed 1952

George Nelson's Bubble lamps are familiar icons of Modernism, the streamlined form somehow evocative of both paper lanterns and the space race. Nelson designed the first bubble lamp in 1947, using a self-webbing plastic that was developed for military use. It was typical in the postwar era to incorporate these sorts of military materials in domestic products — even familiar materials like plywood had been greatly improved through military necessity. The result was a lamp that was safer to produce and more durable than a paper lantern, cheaper and easier to produce than a silk lantern he had been inspired by, and which, above all, was incredibly versatile and created an warm glow when illuminated. 

DMA Label copy [2008.44.1-2], 2008.

Until 1989: Collection of Dr. and Mrs. Edward Mattil, Denton, Texas [1]

From 1989: Dallas Museum of Art, gift of the above 

[1] The main source of provenance is the Deed of Gift found in the Collections Records Object File  (1989.109), dated December 4, 1989.

Apply to objects where number equals 1989.109