Eighty Light Years

Celebrating eight decades, three generations, and various locations, Boyd Lighting marks its anniversary with a look back and ahead.

Staff -- Interior Design, 4/1/2001 12:00:00 AM

FOUNDED IN 1921 BY WILLIAM J. BOYD, the lighting company's history spans a range of design styles, projects, products, and clients. In its early years, the company worked on the City of Paris department store and San Quentin prison as well as many of the Art Deco theaters designed by Timothy Pfeugler, including the Castro Theater in San Francisco. Residential projects included work for notable families like Hearst and Haas. During the Second World War, the company became a defense contractor, supplying deck fixtures for Liberty Ships, hospital trays for hospital ships, and metal stretchers. In the 1950s, Boyd focused on creating lighting for churches and banks and, in the 1960s, for hotel and restaurant projects. By 1978, Boyd had published its first catalogue of standard products and from there has introduced more than 125 designs and 200 products. Most recently, Boyd has added products designed by Agnes Bourne, Barbara Barry, Clodagh, Doyle Crosby, Orlando Diaz-Azcuy, and Michael Vanderbyl.

Twenty-two years after founding the company, William Boyd passed away and daughter Dorothy Boyd Sweet joined the company—the first woman. Although she has remained with the firm to this day, it is her son Jay Sweet who runs the day-to-day operations. Boyd Lighting is now headquartered in an award-winning space in San Francisco's SOMA district. From modest beginnings to an industry forerunner, Boyd Lighting has come a long way, baby. Boyd Lighting, 944 Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA 94107. www.boydlighting.com.

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