architectural history book
book about modern lighting
Category=AFT
Category=AKX
Category=NHK
design enthusiast gift
eq_art-fashion-photography
eq_bestseller
eq_history
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eq_isMigrated=2
eq_nobargain
eq_non-fiction
interior design gift
lighting design book
mid-century modern design
midcentury modern lighting
Modeline lamp history
vintage lighting collectors
Product details
- ISBN 9780764370281
- Weight: 1560g
- Dimensions: 229 x 305mm
- Publication Date: 28 Jan 2026
- Publisher: Schiffer Publishing Ltd
- Publication City/Country: US
- Product Form: Hardback
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A detailed, never-before-told history of the Modeline Lamp Company,
including photographs and exploring its designs, influence on modern lighting, and the stories
behind its enduring legacy.
Readers step into the captivating history of Modeline, the brand that revolutionized interior lighting with its stunning midcentury modern designs. Richly illustrated and captivatingly written, Modeline of California: Pioneer of Modern Lighting unveils the yet-untold story of Bernie Roberts and his journey from a penniless machinist to the founder of a company that defined a generation of design. From its roots in postwar class struggle to its influence on modern marketing and celebrity culture, Modeline of California is an indispensable resource for enthusiasts of architecture, interior design, and cultural history.
This book covers the drama, creativity, and innovation that made Modeline a wellspring of influence, shaping both the modern design movement of the 1950s and today’s mainstream lighting trends.
Key Features:
• Exclusive historical insights: Reveals the origins of modern lighting and Modeline’s role in defining midcentury modern design
• Celebrity connections: Readers learn of Modeline's influence on Hollywood set decorators, movie stars, and even Muhammad Ali’s connection to the end of Modeline’s reign
• Over 250 high-quality images: Features previously unreleased photos and designs showcasing Modeline’s unique syle
• Cultural impact: Explores Modeline’s legacy in shaping the furniture and lighting industries
• Fascinating narratives: Engaging stories of union clashes, Hollywood connections, and postwar innovation that still shapes the modern world in various domains
• Author's expertise: Written by the foremost authority on Modeline and midcentury modern lighting, who has spent years documenting the history shared by Modeline’s original families and designers
A riveting volume that exhumes the legacy of Modeline and uncovers dramatic and pertinent history. Readers can discover why Modeline's timeless designs still captivate collectors and worldwide design enthusiasts today.
Readers step into the captivating history of Modeline, the brand that revolutionized interior lighting with its stunning midcentury modern designs. Richly illustrated and captivatingly written, Modeline of California: Pioneer of Modern Lighting unveils the yet-untold story of Bernie Roberts and his journey from a penniless machinist to the founder of a company that defined a generation of design. From its roots in postwar class struggle to its influence on modern marketing and celebrity culture, Modeline of California is an indispensable resource for enthusiasts of architecture, interior design, and cultural history.
This book covers the drama, creativity, and innovation that made Modeline a wellspring of influence, shaping both the modern design movement of the 1950s and today’s mainstream lighting trends.
Key Features:
• Exclusive historical insights: Reveals the origins of modern lighting and Modeline’s role in defining midcentury modern design
• Celebrity connections: Readers learn of Modeline's influence on Hollywood set decorators, movie stars, and even Muhammad Ali’s connection to the end of Modeline’s reign
• Over 250 high-quality images: Features previously unreleased photos and designs showcasing Modeline’s unique syle
• Cultural impact: Explores Modeline’s legacy in shaping the furniture and lighting industries
• Fascinating narratives: Engaging stories of union clashes, Hollywood connections, and postwar innovation that still shapes the modern world in various domains
• Author's expertise: Written by the foremost authority on Modeline and midcentury modern lighting, who has spent years documenting the history shared by Modeline’s original families and designers
A riveting volume that exhumes the legacy of Modeline and uncovers dramatic and pertinent history. Readers can discover why Modeline's timeless designs still captivate collectors and worldwide design enthusiasts today.
Nick Ferrell is a collector, restorer, and historian of mid-20th-century lighting whose exhaustive research into the history of 20th-century lighting manufacturers has made him the “expert on call” for hundreds of dealers throughout the United States. As the owner of Esthetic Vintage, he has handled tens of thousands of lamps and developed an unparalleled ability to ascertain a lamp’s manufacturer, designer, and period. He lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
