Bestlite stems from the revolutionary changes that took place in design in the period between 1919 and 1933. The period known as Bauhaus sought to break down the barriers between the practical crafts, industrialisation and fine art. Designs from the era brought functionality and simplicity to the forefront, displacing all superficial ornamentation. Bauhaus is a rebellion against tradition, and is the school and style that has had the greatest influence on design in the 20th century
Robert Dudley Best designed Bestlite in 1930
His studies as an industrial designer brought Best to Paris and Düsseldorf where he drew the first drafts of the lamp that would later become synonymous with his name. As the lamp was the first example of Bauhaus in the UK, strong arguments were needed before the lamp could be put into production. The lamp was produced by the manufacturing firm Best & Lloyd, founded by Best’s family in 1840. After mention in the prominent architectural magazine Architects’ Journal, the architectural community opened its eyes to the lamp’s potential. Bestlite gained everlasting fame when Winston Churchill placed one on his desk in Whitehall In 2004, the Danish design firm GUBI took over the international rights for the Bestlite collection