Specialty Lamps

1. Edward Craven Walker introduced Lava Lamps (originally named Astro Lamps) in 1963. Local retailers thought the lamps were ugly, but were proven wrong when Lava Lamps became part of the psychedelic movement, and Walker marketed his lamps as a replacement for hallucinogenic drugs.

2. Swing-arm lamps have an adjustable arm that directs light where it is most needed, even hard-to-reach areas. Swing-arm lamps are perfect living room floor or table lamps, office desk lamps, piano lamps, and bedside lamps.

3. The joining of lamps with fiber optics has created a lighting system that is more energy-efficient than incandescent and fluorescent bulbs. Fiber optics do not contain mercury like fluorescents, and do not release ultraviolet heat or rays.

4. Oil lamps burn about half an ounce of oil per hour - slightly more in cold weather, and slightly less in hot weather. Smoke and soot build up in chimneys, diminishing lamp performance and reducing the amount of light the lamp emits, so make sure to remove the lamp and clean the chimney after each use.

5. A piano lamp can be tall and vertical, short and horizontal, and simple or ornate; a number of shapes are available, and brass, chrome, and enameled metals are popular constructions. Piano lamps are always hooded to keep the direct glare from the pianist's eyes.

6. Illuminating artwork gives it importance and improves color accuracy. Many professional galleries use warm white fluorescent or halogen lamps to accent the beauty of paintings.

7. Clamp-on lights are task lights (often gooseneck and adjustable) that can be placed above or adjacent to any area in need of direct lighting for reading, writing, and craftwork. It is important to position clip-on lights so that your eyes do not come in a direct view with the light bulb.