HAY Nelson Apple Bubble Pendant

The HAY Nelson Apple Bubble Pendant was designed by pioneering American designer George Nelson in 1947. This ceiling lamp was invented when George Nelson was looking for a set of silk-covered Swedish pendant lamps for his office but discovered that they were too expensive. He instead decided to recreate the orb lampshades by using a self-webbing polymer spray developed by the U.S. military. The material is more affordable, available and adaptable and has therefore become a staple in all of George Nelson's designs.

The Bubble pendant lamp collection signalled a revolution in the Modernist lighting industry with the use of polymer as a replacement for the highly expensive and delicate silk. The self-webbing polymer was sprayed over a lightweight, rounded-steel frame to produce these soft, glowing fixtures.

The resourcefulness shown by Nelson in the creation of the Nelson Apple Bubble Pendant matches the philosophy at HAY. As the HAY brand prides themselves on having innovative products created by the world’s most respected contemporary designers. This is clearly seen in George Nelson's designs and, in particular, the HAY Nelson Apple Bubble Pendant.