On Sat, 05 Jan 2008 13:07:07 -0600, Ignoramus8343
wrote:

I purchased a desk light at Home Depot. It has an amazing featu it
is switched by touching its base. It does not have a mechanical
switch. All I have to do to turn it on, is to touch it. Very clever.

http://www.touchandglow.com/Dimmers-Switches-s/1.htm

Such things are readily available at Wal-Mart.