Such a tidy room, with the exception of what appears to be an ashtray on the back counter. It's hard to imagine anyone being allowed to smoke in a space like that.

I worked at a drafting table under fluorescent lighting for years, had to get glasses, the worst type of lighting available but they are cheap, I got my own incadescent lamp and things improve, I still curse fluorescent lighting.

a 1933 issue of Scribner's Magazine.

A simple design, well executed. Luxo lamps are also a fairly old design that can still be purchased for much higher prices than back then, but good design and quality trump cost every time. They last. The Luxo lamp I bought in 1963 or so is still doing the same job it did then: Lighting the drafting board I use.

That desk lamp next to the typewriter was made by Dazor. I have the same lamp. I'm delighted to report that you can still purchase them new from Dazor. For between $300 and $350. Gulp!

http://store.dazor.com/traditional2and3tube.aspx