Tensor high intensity lamp prototype (ca 1959, Brass, steel, copper, plastic, glass). Kept at the Brooklyn Museum. Gift of Jay Monroe
Product type
Small high-intensity low-voltage desk lamp
Produced by
Tensor Corporation
Country
United States
Introduced
1960; 65 years ago (1960)
Discontinued
c. 1980; 45 years ago (1980)
Markets
United States
A Tensor lamp is a trademarked brand of small high-intensity low-voltage desk lamp invented by Jay Monroe.[1][2] The lamp was mainly popular during the 1960s and 1970s.[3][4] The lamp was originally used by doctors and dentists, and later became more widely used.[5] The first prototype was created in 1959, and the lamp was commercialized in 1960 by the Tensor Corporation.
History
The first Tensor lamp consisted of a 12-volt automobile parking light bulb and a reflector made from a kitchen measuring cup. Monroe fixed the cup to a metal tube that was attached to a transformer, which reduced 115-volt house current to 12 volts. Because of the small bulb, the entire lamp could be made smaller with a light-directing shade.[5] Monroe was issued a patent for his invention.[6]
By 1963, the lamp was sold to the general public as a decorative desk lamp for home and office, and several other manufacturers soon entered the field.[1] Its main competitors during the 1960s were the similar-looking Lampette brand of lamps manufactured by Koch Creations,[1][7] the Mobilette,[1] a series of Italian designed lamps sold by Stiffel,[1] and Lytegem lamp designed by Michael Lax and manufactured by Lightolier.[8]
