Vintage Jansjö Gooseneck Desk Lamp by A. Efverlund and J. Jelinek for IKEA

The IKEA Jansjö Desk Lamp, an icon of democratic design, was clearly designed to delight. With a rumored "factory floor" genesis (though some sources credit A. Efverlund and J. Jelinek with its design), the genius behind the Jansjö lies in its revolutionary simplicity and functionality. Introduced around the 1980s to early 2000s, this lamp quickly became incredibly popular due to its unparalleled flexibility and thoughtful design.

Sure, it looked great and was easy to use, but where the Jansjö was really ahead of its time was with energy consumption: it uses up to 85% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs to provide an impressive 25,000 hours of light. Furthermore, its streamlined design notably omitted a conventional on-off switch, simplifying manufacturing and increasing durability. No longer in production, this vintage Jansjö is more than just a lamp; it's a testament to enduring, innovative design.