More than a simple lighting object, the B7 is a gesture. It stems from the desire to “throw a handful of light”–a simple, instinctive, almost primal act. Theodore Waddell overturns the convention of the mechanical switch, placing light back into the user’s hands. The lamp consists of a wide-mouthed glass bowl and independent light sticks. To turn it on, no button is pressed: the sticks are gathered by hand and dropped randomly into the bowl. The contact generates the light restoring a human, intuitive and participatory dimensions to the object.

A recognized icon of experimental design, this lamp entered the permanent collection of the MoMA in New York as early as 1970 and has been exhibited in the Louvre and the Centre de Création Industrielle.

Brought back by Participation Designs, the B7 is technically updated to meet current safety standards without altering its original spirit. It allows users to choose between 4, 8, 12 or 16 light sticks, enabling free modulation of intensity. In every configuration, light is never imposed – it is constructed by the user.

Technicals
Structure
Wide-mouthed glass bowl with an electrified chrome rim and base plate.

Operation
Activation via physical contact of the light sticks. No mechanical switches.

Safety
Integrated transformer reducing current to low voltage for completely safe interaction.

Configuration
Modulate atmosphere by using 4, 8, 12, or 16 light sticks.

Finishes
Glass, Chrome, and Luminous elements.

Backstory

The B7 is a precise balance between function, technology, and poetry. While the gesture seems random, the construction is rigorous: the base contains a transformer that keeps the interaction safe. The bottom plate features a subtle groove to hold the stick ends, while the curved glass allows them to rest without shorting the circuit. Technology remains invisible; what emerges is the the experience, not the device.