The Light That Changed Film

In 1903, Mariano Fortuny devised a lamp which would change film forever. Dubbed the Moda Lamp, it was the first of its kind to provide indirect lighting for movie scenes.

Why was this important? It distributed even light to a scene so that people and objects had the same amount of of brightness. Inspired by the tripods and shades that are staples of the movie set, the design is one that still holds up today as far as attractiveness goes. And if you have $US5800 to toss around, you can have a vintage one of your own. [Fortuny, 1st Dibs]