McKenna's battery-powered DEK create iconic lamps

Sure, we've seen a plethora of design-inspired lamps before, but the biggest (and most refreshing) difference between the prototypes we typically see on expo floors or in the back of one's imagination is that Mark McKenna's iterations are actually for sale. Big shock, we know, but somehow Mr. McKenna has crafted five slightly different Design Emulation Kits (DEK) that "pay homage to some of the greatest modern designers of our time" by allowing customers to create their own masterpiece using pre-printed parts. Once assembled, the light is then attached to a 9-volt battery to light up the LED within, and at just $29 apiece, these would have that engineering cousin of yours occupied and off your back for days. Click on through for a few more selections.

[Via Inhabitat]

[Jose Chavez @ May 25th 2007 12:12PM]

Looks intresting might be something to have on desk just different!!!

[strider_mt2k @ May 25th 2007 12:14PM]

These are very very cool.

[Dave @ May 25th 2007 12:22PM]

Disposable Batteries?! Gross.

[Rick Lyon @ May 25th 2007 12:27PM]

Cool, but for $30 I can buy a full assembled one that will provide 100 times the light. These things are miniature, can't justify the outrageous cost.

[mmiikey @ May 26th 2007 4:59PM]

i think you're missing the point rick. on a lighter note, watt ever floats your boat hehe.

[Cory @ May 25th 2007 12:59PM]

You can justify the cost when you consider the prices on the originals that inspired these are in the multi-hundred dollar range.

[Rick Lyon @ May 25th 2007 1:06PM]

I'm just saying they could be much cheaper. Not to take anything away from the original or this truly unique representation. Just dollar for dollar, $30 seems too much for a tiny plastic cut out that sits on a 9v and sports a tiny LED. I love the novelty, really, just not the price thats all. I understand the original was more expensive, can't remember the size of them tho, but that doesn't mean to me I can justify the price. That's all. Just my economic value system, nothing slighting the work or artistic creation here.

[Hastings @ May 25th 2007 1:18PM]

I can see where Rick is coming from, I agree that they do seem a little bit expensive. They're very cool, there's no denying that, but $30 is a little bit expensive for something so simple. Perhaps the high price is related to production costs and may come down if/when production ramps up.

Definitely a great idea though.

[ThePete @ May 25th 2007 1:20PM]

I'm with Rick, $30 is absurd for the cost of a circuitboard with a few seriously minor components attached to it. Sheesh... you can find more plastic and metal in a 1980s era GI Joe figure... and those were only $3!

[Ryan @ May 25th 2007 1:45PM]

Does it come with the McKenna battery in the photo?

[Grey Acumen @ May 25th 2007 2:09PM]

Yeah, I have to agree. My first though just glancing at these was "SO FREAKING AWESOME" but that was only based on the idea that this was like a $5 kit. This is really awesome, but not $30 awesome

[Ron @ May 25th 2007 2:51PM]

Not sure where E got the $30 price from. Think Geek sells them for under $15.

[fred @ May 25th 2007 3:19PM]

think geek has had these things for months.

[GruffPelt @ May 25th 2007 3:54PM]

I'm with Rick -- $30 is a bit much. If the prices goes to $20, however...

[Scooter @ May 25th 2007 6:00PM]

these have been around quite a while. I passed on them last Xmas when shopping for children (in Tokyo), for the reason that they were too basic - they imitate circuit boards by being green and having apparent solder lines, but the reality is that the circuity is pre-built and very basic. Really, it is just an exercise in clipping together 2 or 3 bits of plastic to gain an interesting design with no practical purpose. That in itself might appeal to some, but it doesn't even rate as a gift so I have little hope for it making the gadget hall of fame.

[tpp @ May 25th 2007 6:03PM]

I have the one in the first picture. The battery ran out in less than two weeks, and it started getting visibly dim after only few days. And it was definitely never as bright as the picture seems to imply.

Kinda dissapointing. It's a cool looking office toy though.

I didn't pay $30 for it. They're available for less pretty much everywhere.

[Oracle @ May 25th 2007 10:11PM]

Not enough junk?

[Kesey @ May 27th 2007 8:06PM]

This is 2 years old:

http://www.nodrm.com/2005/12/09/mini-designer-desk-lamps/

[attang @ May 28th 2007 12:30AM]

简洁！喜欢！要是能有不同的颜色就更喜欢了！

[vince @ May 29th 2007 12:12PM]

Its a rip off. Small Chinese made LED lamps can be bought for less than 1 us dollar in most 3rd world countries.