The early 1930s brought about the creation of one of today's most beloved brands in lighting Anglepoise. In 1932, George Carwardine, an automotive engineer who worked with suspensions, discovered a spring that would maintain its position even when released. Interestingly enough, this spring would not be used for vehicles. Carwardine designed a task lamp that he initially thought would be used by other engineers, but soon realized that the lamp was far more versatile than he gave it credit for. Thrilled, Carwardine applied for a patent, originally under the name Equipoise, however, the trade markers rejected the name, and thus the conception of Anglepoise.

The first models of the Anglepoise are not what we see today. The older models were built with a different number of springs and a slightly different form. It wasn't until later, that Carwardine sought out Herbert & Sons, who were fully equipped to manufacture the lamps. Once the fixture was slightly altered for improvement, the new Anglepoise was released under the name 1208. The construction of the lamps wound up being a touch more industrial, which Carwardine did not see fit for domestic use, thus another model was born the 1227.