Chronological timeline of the Jieldé lamp: from “La Standard” to the current collection

1940–1949 | The problem arises

• Jean-Louis Domecq (1920–1983), a mechanic and workshop manager in the Lyon region, is looking for a robust work lamp for his machinery.
• The existing lamps are insufficiently adjustable, cables break in the hinges, and the structures are not suitable for heavy industrial use.
• Domecq begins developing sketches and prototypes for a completely new work lamp.

1950 | Design of “La Standard”

• The final design is being finalized.
• Domecq is developing a revolutionary electrical conduction system with copper contact rings in the joints, eliminating the need for visible wiring in the hinges.
• The lamp will have a fully rotatable, modular arm system and a heavy metal construction.
• This model will later be known as The Standard.

1951–1952 | Industrialization

• Domecq spends about two years making his design production-ready.
• Tools, molds, and production methods are developed for mass production.
• The first industrial specimens appear in workshops around Lyon.

1953 | Founding of Jieldé

• Domecq founded the company Jieldé.
• The name comes from his initials: J.L.D. → Jieldé.
• The lamp is officially launched on the market.
• She is rapidly gaining popularity in factories, garages, engineering offices, and design departments.

1955 | First catalog

• The first brochure appears.
• Jieldé explains the unique joint system in it extensively.
• The lamp profiles itself as an extremely reliable industrial work light.
• Each lamp receives an individual serial number.

1961 | Breakthrough Outside the Workshop

• The Standard is increasingly being used on the drafting tables of architects, engineers, and designers.
• The model is growing into an icon of French industrial design.

1960s–1970s | Industrial Standard

• Jieldé lamps are used throughout France in workshops, factories, laboratories, and technical offices.
• The design hardly changes; functionality is central.
• The lamp is gaining a reputation for being virtually indestructible.

1983 | Death of Jean-Louis Domecq

• Domecq dies.
• The company and its design philosophy will continue to exist under the leadership of his family.

1987 | From Standard to Loft

• The industrial model is being adapted for residential interiors.
• The original Standard will get the new name Loft.
• This is how Jieldé enters the consumer market.
• The industrial aesthetic is becoming a design statement in homes and lofts.

Late 1980s – 1990s | Global Design Status

• Architects and interior designers discover the lamp.
• Vintage items become collector's items.
• Jieldé is becoming a reference within the industrial design style.

2001–2002 | International Expansion

• The brand is expanding its distribution network into Europe, Japan, and North America.
• The company is changing ownership but will maintain production in France.

2003 | Introducing Signal

• Launch of the Signalcollection.
• A scaled-down version of the original Standard/Loft.
• Focusing on residential homes, offices, and smaller spaces.
• Available in more colors and configurations.

2006 | Further development of Signal

• New variants with different arm configurations are appearing.
• The Signal line is growing into one of the brand's most popular collections.

2010 | Introduction of Augustin

• Launch of Augustine.
• A pendant lamp collection that translates the Jieldé design language into pendant lighting.
• Available in multiple diameters.

2010–2018 | Product range expansion

New product families are appearing:

• Clement
• Dante
• Lake (reissue)
• New Loft and Signal configurations

This allows Jieldé to grow from one iconic work lamp into a complete lighting collection.

2019 | Introduction of Aicler

• Launch of the Aiclerseries.
• More classic forms inspired by early industrial and workshop lighting.
• Greater emphasis on decorative applications.

2020–present | Production continues in Lyon

• All lamps are still handmade in Saint-Priest, in the Lyon metropolitan area.
• The original tools and production methods are largely retained.
• Each lamp still receives an individual serial number.
• The brand produces exclusively in France and works primarily with local suppliers.

Overview of the main models

Important detail

The technical heart of the lamp—the contact and hinge system designed by Jean-Louis Domecq in 1950—still forms the basis of virtually all Jieldé fixtures manufactured in Lyon today. This creates a direct technical lineage from the first Standard lamp of 1950 to current production.

Technical cross-section drawing of the connection between two arms and how the bolt/nut creates the connection. When changing the position of the arms, it is convenient to loosen the bolt slightly and then re-secure it.

A poster showing how the lamp was originally used, as a workshop lamp. Mounted on the machine and painted the same color as the machine. This poster, 40 x 50 cm, on Dibond is for sale. (€ 30.00)