'Shark Tank's Lumio Is a Totally New Kind of Lamp

On Friday night, we'll see Max Gunawan pitch Lumio on a new episode of Shark Tank . Lumio is an LED book lamp that would make any design geek squeal with delight. In fact, the product has already had a successful Kickstarter campaign. As the New York Times reported, Lumio raised over half a million dollars in 2013 with a mere $60,000 goal. Gunawan, a San Francisco architect, came up with the idea for the accordion style lamp that folds into a book, when his plans for a collapsible, modular home that could fit into a car was too costly to make.

Gunawan created Lumio at TechShop, a workshop that gives regular people access to tech equipment like 3D printers, computer-operated laser cutting, and milling machines for an inexpensive monthly fee. The design was perfected when Gunawan spent two months at a factory in China, putting his Kickstarter funds to good use.

I have a feeling the sharks are going to eat this product up. Lumio meets pivotal Shark Tank criteria. It's totally functional and boy, do people want it. With close to $600,000 in crowdsourced funding, it would be silly to assume otherwise. The people hath spoken. Shark Mark Cuban even included the product in his 2014 "5 Must-Have Holiday Gifts, saying, "It's the coolest light I have ever seen." If this isn't a pretty clear sign of what's to come, I don't know what is. Gunawan has certainly got Cuban convinced, let's see if the rest of the sharks will bite.

Lumio Book Lamp, $200, Hello Lumio

The "coolest" lamp retails for $190 and is available at HelloLumio.com and museums around the world. Here's what else you should know about Shark Tank's latest bright idea.

1. It's Bright

As the Lumio website explains, the LED module emits 500 lumen, which means it's brighter than a 40 watt bulb. The brightness can be adjusted based on how wide the lamp is open. Not to be too on the nose, but this is simply the perfect reading lamp. Judging from the photographs, the lamp appears to glow and radiate light rather than overpower the atmosphere. There is nothing like snuggling up in the dark with a good book and dimming the lights just so.

2. It's Recyclable

Lumio's website also lists the casing as made of FSC-certified wood in blonde maple and dark walnut. The interior is 100 percent recyclable DuPont Tyvek. Anything good for the environment is a worthy investment.

3. No Batteries Necessary

The Lumio is completely USB rechargeable and promises up to eight hours of battery life.

4. It's Gorgeous

I mean, come on, it's a book that unfolds into a lamp. It's pretty much magical and totally enchanting in its design. Where else can you find a lamp that you can keep on your bookshelf? Maybe I've lived in New York City too long but I love anything that is compact. There simply is never enough space!

5. It's Portable

Perhaps the most important part. The lightweight lamp is rechargeable and portable. When it isn't in use, it folds into a book making it worthy of any purse, tote, or book bag. Can you imagine how cool this would be during a camping trip, a sleepover, or hey, even a rave. The Lumio can sit on a table, be hung, or mounted on a wall.

Image: Michael Desmond/ABC