{"id":860,"date":"2019-04-01T01:07:49","date_gmt":"2019-04-01T01:07:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thebankerslamp.com\/?p=860"},"modified":"2026-09-13T16:15:12","modified_gmt":"2026-09-13T16:15:12","slug":"green-bankers-desk-lamp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thebankerslamp.com\/green-bankers-desk-lamp\/","title":{"rendered":"What is that green desk lamp called?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Even though many don’t know its name. Most people recognize this stylish desk lamp. The green banker’s desk lamp has fascinated people ever since its introduction in the early 20th century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Originally created as the Emeralite, the lamp eventually became known as the banker’s lamp due to its popularity in the banking industry. They have a design featuring a green glass lampshade, typically fitted to a brass base. However, you can find them in all sorts of colors and variations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Want to know more about its history? Why is it called the banker’s<\/g> lamp? The types of variations? Or where you can get your own? Keep reading as I try to answer all the questions you could possibly<\/g> have about the banker’s<\/g> lamp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

History<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The green bankers desk lamps story goes back to 1909. At this time American engineer Harrison D. McFaddin filed a patent application for \u201ca new, original and ornamental design for lamp shades\u201d. Later the same year, the first lamp rolled out of production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The simple, yet neat green-shaded lamp was given the name Emeralite, a combination of emerald and light due to the deep emerald green color of the shade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The lamp gradually increased in popularity. Particularly among those in detailed oriented occupations. These included  accounting, banking and law. A big reason for this was that that green was (and still is), thought to be psychologically soothing, enhancing concentration and focus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This led to the lamp becoming a prominent feature in banks, courtrooms and libraries. Most likely, its popularity among bankers have led to it being known as the bankers lamp today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the outbreak of WW2 in 1939, things went downhill for the company. The company replaced the green glass shade with metal shades. Around the same time, the company changed hands as its founder H.D. McFaddin chose to retire.
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In the early 60s, the company turned unprofitable. The company changed hands again as the new owner died, but it never recovered. After a little more than 50 years, the remainder of the company behind the iconic lamp was legally dissolved in 1962.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can read more about the history of the green banker’s desk lamp\/Emeralite. Just follow this link to my detailed article<\/a> which takes you through its entire history by clicking this link.
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The lamp today
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Although the original company is long gone, the lamp design and its legacy still live on. The lamp is arguably one of the most recognizable desk lamps in the world. This is largely due to its frequent appearance in movies and TV-shows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the best appearance of the green banker’s lamp on screen is in the 90s crime thriller \u201cseven\u201d.You can check out the scene below. You can also read more about its presence in show business in this article<\/a>. Here you can also check out the comprehensive list of movies and TV shows where the banker’s lamp makes an appearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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