As a child growing up in the 1970s it seemed as if all my relatives had old '50s atomic lamps in their basements. Wonderful whip-stitched fiberglass lamp shades mimicking mushroom clouds and mounted above biomorphic bases. They were refugees from an earlier, cooler era, pushed aside by the arrival of newer appliances of inferior style and design and sent down below to end their lives in the basement chill . These lamps were truly incredible devices, remnants of a future past.

In my teens, I would raid all the local thrift stores with my brother and look for odd furniture, clothing and lamps. To my young mind at the time some of these lamps, those that inspired me, resembled alien landing craft, or hinted that they might be an idle proton engine awaiting a recharge. Some appeared to have emerged from a art school dumpster dive, repainted and given a dainty fiberglass shade by some unknown local person years ago. These lamps would just blow my mind.  For me, table lamps have always satisfied a need for comfort and independence. The first portable light sources must have made a huge difference in the lives of primitive humans. They could remain active after dark and go to there own area to draw beneath the light of these little hearths. They could extend there evenings deep into the planning stages and dream of the day to come....... 
Beyond that, there's nothing like walking into someone’s home in the evening and seeing the warm glow of a wonderful table lamp illuminating the room.