Vintage Mek Elek machinist light
Era: 1930s Origin: UKAn original work light by British manufacturer 'Mek Elek', salvaged from an industrial site where it was once used to illuminate machinery on the factory floor.
Reference 13_1730
Origin: UK
Lighting design in the UK benefitted from a free market. Different companies were working at the same time, designing and producing similar products for the same market. Often with only slight differences in their style, they constantly upgraded and improved their original designs. The products we salvage come from the old industrial heartland of England. This area of the UK was once the boiler room of the British economy - from the potteries of Stoke, through the engineering works of Birmingham, to the wool, textile and cotton mills of Oldham and Manchester.
View all lights from UKRestoration
The vitreous enamelled shade has a polished aluminium housing featuring cast manufacturer's branding. The steel arms and wall mounting have been brushed and lacquered, sealing the metal against further ageing. There is 180deg rotation at the wall plate, with lateral adjustment of the arms and full rotation of the shade.
Product details
Supplied tested and rewired with a new switched bayonet (B22) lamp holder and traditional twisted black cable.
|
Diameter:
|
145 (shade) mm |
Supplied tested to BS EN60598. Converted for use in the US and worldwide. IP20 for internal use only.
Manufacturer: MEK ELEK Engineering
Founded during 1931 in London, UK, MEK ELEK specialised in the manufacture of the Mekelite lathe light, primarily for use within the aircraft industry. Pathé newsreels of the 1940s clearly show row upon row of munitions machinists, labouring away under the illumination of Mek Elek lights. Mekelite lights were available in a wide range of types and sizes for floor, bench, wall and ceiling applications - all versions being based around a similar family of components. It is not known what became of the company, but their designs have stood the test of time and remain one of our favourite brands of early industrial lighting.
View all MEK ELEK Engineering LightsLights for life
As well as offering a lifetime guarantee that includes repairs, our Full Circle buy-back scheme gives you the opportunity to trade-in your skinflint lights. It keeps vintage lights in use forever - helping you and our planet.
Trade in, get credit
Light Bulbs
Why we recommend using energy-saving LED light bulbs in all of our vintage lights.
Applications
Where our lights can be used internally and externally, including bathrooms and IP ratings.
More lights from the 1930s
More lights from UK
More lights by MEK ELEK Engineering
A quick word from our customers
Bibliotheque Lights
Beautiful lights, very pleased with the quality. Excellent service overall from skinflint.
- Miriam | Hampshire | UK
Chapel opaline light
Arrived next day, beautifully packaged and perfect for my own chapel renovation!
- Kate | Powys | UK
Light fantastic
Fantastic light and flex... We will be back for more! Service was unimprovable.
- Gareth | Northamptonshire | UK
Czech industrial pendants
The light works well because the industrial style and it complements the exposed brick walls and stone worktops in the kitchen.
- Charles | London | UK