Heat therapy

The application of heat using battery diathermy units was already established from the end of the 19th century as a treatment for rheumatic complaints. In addition, there began to appear from the 1920s electric ultra-violet and infra-red 'sun lamps' or 'heat therapy lamps' using high-power heating elements. These ranged from body-sized 'sun beds' to portable and adjustable bowl lamps that could be plugged into a lighting socket.

By the end of the 1930s, foreign travel to sunnier climes had become a possibility for upper-middle class families, with the result that sun-tans were fashionable in more cosmopolitan circles. 'Sun lamps' were often advertised as being able to produce a healthy tan, 'in the privacy of your own home' and without the need to travel to expensive resorts. The health-enhancing aspects of sun lamps were doubted by some in the medical profession, but the public's faith in the life-benefiting properties of electricity, not to mention the dubious claims of some manufacturer's publicity, more than compensated.

1939 Pifco Infra Red
1950 Pifco heat massager
1952 Philips Infraphil
1960 Philips Infraphil

c1939

Pifco Infra Red model model 1020

UK Manchester

Lightweight heat lamp, produced c1939-c1968, hand-held with black phenol plastic handle, or mounted on removable stand. Ribbed aluminium bowl, polished on inside with sand textured finish outside, Pifco logotype on top. Chromium- plated stand with sand textured cast base with green baize underneath.

c1950

Pifco model 996

UK Manchester

Lightweight, hand-held, heat massager, heat produced by simple resistor in head. Produced c1950-c1960. White brittle urea plastic handle, dark red massage head. Full instructions printed on the carton.

c1952

Philips Infraphil

The Netherlands

Compact and portable heatlamp of modern design using Philips infra-red bulb. Cream plastic-coated wire frame with swivelling maroon phenol plastic bulb holder, ribbed to diffuse heat. Popular model, re-designed in same basic format several times. Advert highlights use at 1952 Olympics. Featured in Consumer's Association report in 'Which' January 1960.

Click here to see the 1950s cover of the instructions leaflet.

c1960

Philips Infraphil model KL7500

The Netherlands

Compact and portable heatlamp of modern design using Philips infra-red bulb. Updated and re-styled version with conical single-piece casing and chrome-plated lamp guard, similar to 60s car styling. Black phenol plastic end with handle moulded in. Adjustable chrome-plated bar stand, rotates for optimum position. Packaging and booklet in 'international' graphic design style.

Click here to see the whole package.
Click here for a page from the instruction booklet.

c1939 Pifco Infra Red model model 1020 UK Manchester Lightweight heat lamp, produced c1939-c1968, hand-held with black phenol plastic handle, or mounted on removable stand. Ribbed aluminium bowl, polished on inside with sand textured finish outside, Pifco logotype on top. Chromium- plated stand with sand textured cast base with green baize underneath.
c1950 Pifco model 996 UK Manchester Lightweight, hand-held, heat massager, heat produced by simple resistor in head. Produced c1950-c1960. White brittle urea plastic handle, dark red massage head. Full instructions printed on the carton.
c1952 Philips Infraphil The Netherlands Compact and portable heatlamp of modern design using Philips infra-red bulb. Cream plastic-coated wire frame with swivelling maroon phenol plastic bulb holder, ribbed to diffuse heat. Popular model, re-designed in same basic format several times. Advert highlights use at 1952 Olympics. Featured in Consumer's Association report in 'Which' January 1960. Click here to see the 1950s cover of the instructions leaflet.
c1960 Philips Infraphil model KL7500 The Netherlands Compact and portable heatlamp of modern design using Philips infra-red bulb. Updated and re-styled version with conical single-piece casing and chrome-plated lamp guard, similar to 60s car styling. Black phenol plastic end with handle moulded in. Adjustable chrome-plated bar stand, rotates for optimum position. Packaging and booklet in 'international' graphic design style. Click here to see the whole package. Click here for a page from the instruction booklet.