Bowens International was originally founded as Bowens Camera Service Company, a London based camera repair company, in 1923 which by the 1950s had grown to be one of the largest in Europe.
At around that time Bowens first started manufacturing lighting equipment for photographers. The first flash bulb units were produced in 1947 but by 1950 the company had already started to produce the first electronic studio flash systems. Until the 1960s, studio flash systems were large and cumbersome, requiring bulky power generators to power the flash heads, connected by large cables. Bowens revolutionised studio photography when, in 1963, they invented the first electronic studio flash unit with its power source built into it. This became known as a monobloc (sometimes monolight) which is now an industry standard tool and is produced by numerous manufacturers around the world. Following this invention the company dedicated itself to the design and production of studio flash equipment, Bowens Sales & Service grew out of the Bowens Camera service company and in 1966 they made their first appearance at Photokina showing their products to the worldwide photography community and taking their first steps towards global distribution. In 1968 they produced an update to the Monobloc, The Monolite 400, a product which confirmed Bowens' place as a world leader in studio lighting design and manufacture. Since that day products such as Quad, Prolite and Esprit have helped to maintain Bowens' position as a favourite amongst photographic professionals. Today, the company continues to produce studio flash systems and photographic accessories from its factory in Clacton on Sea, England. With distribution in more than 70 countries Bowens lighting equipment is the most used flash product in the world. The main competitors of Bowens International include Broncolor, Profoto, Elinchrom, Multiblitz, Visatec and White Lightning.
