Sputnik
The earliest design of these sputnik lamps dates back from the late 1950s, when the Soviets launched their Sputnik 1 satellite into orbit in 1957: the space age has begun. Gaetano Sciolari was one of the first designers of this type of lamps, if not the first.
Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin (9 March 1934 – 27 March 1968) was the first human to journey into outer space, when his Vostok spacecraft completed an orbit of the Earth on 12 April 1961.
VLM Components
All the electric parts were made by VLM Components. The company was founded in 1945 in Buccinasco, a small village near Milan, Italy. VLM Components is part of the Relco Group, founded in 1967. Today they are the owners of the brands Relco, Leuci, Relco Lighting, VLM Components and Segno. VLM Components became famous for the switches they produce which were designed by Achille Castiglioni in 1968.
Many thanks to Hans from Objeta for the beautiful pictures and the enthusiasm.
Cosack Sputnik Floor Lamp
Materials: Round chromed metal (iron) base. Cast iron counterweight. Long chrome rod. Chrome globe and many chrome rods and balls form a round sputnik lampshade. 12 Bakelite E14 sockets.
Height: 155 cm / 61.02”
Width: ∅ 41 cm / 16.14”
Base: ∅ 30 cm / 11.81”
Electricity: 12 bulbs E14, 12 x 40 watt maximum, 110/220 volt.
Any type of light bulb can be used, but silver capped bulbs are preferred.
Period: 1960s – Mid-Century Modern.
Designer: To be appraised.
Manufacturer: Gebrüder Cosack – Gecos, Neheim-Hüsten, Germany.
Other versions: This Cosack sputnik floor lamp exists in brass. Wall lamps, flush mounts, chandeliers and table lamps were also produced.
Cosack
The Gebrüder Cosack (Gecos) company was founded in 1833 as a metal processing plant in Neheim-Hüsten, Germany by Egon, Friedrich and Theodor Cosack together with Gottliebe Tappe. It was named Metallwarenfabrik Tapp + Cosack. In the beginning they made liturgical items, crosses and upholstery nails made of brass and they also produced kerosene lamps. Later the company came to the production of electric lamps.
In 1921 a cardboard factory was started, originally for packaging the Cosack Group‘s own products, including lights, nails, rivets and kitchen appliances.
After the Second World War Cosack pursued a modern direction. A best seller were copper lighting for restaurants. The company was declared bankrupt in 1984.
The cardboard factory still exists. The sixth generation is now running the business at the Cosack plant.
Best known designers: Gottfried Stürzenhofecker, K. H. Kinsky, Hans Wilfried Hegger, Hans-Joachim Groth, Burkhard Panteleit, Joachim O. Becker, Prof. Friedrich Becker, Waldemar Rothe and Jan Armgardt.
Gebrüder Cosack (Gecos) received 15 iF Design Awards.
Lamps in the movies
A chrome Sputnik table lamp, maker unknown, appears in the 2015 British crime drama television series Midsomer Murders, season 17, Episode 1, named The Dagger Club. Starring John Nettles, Daniel Casey and Barry Jackson. With a “triennale” style floor lamp on the background and a Carlo Moretti (or in the style) vase on the right.