When was lava lamps invented?

Answer 1

Singapore-born inventor Craven Walker was having a pint in post W.W.II England. The pub's decor included a fascinating lamp, which Craven Walker described as a "contraption made out of a cocktail shaker, old tins and things." It was to become the starting point and inspiration for Craven Walker's design.

The liquid-filled inventor proceeded to purchase the equally liquid-filled lamp, whose creator (Mr. Dunnett) Walker later discovered had died. Walker became determined to make a better version of the novelty item and spent the next decade and a half doing so (inbetween running an international house-swap agency and making films about nudism.) Walker worked on improving the lamp with his company the Crestworth Company of Dorset, England.

Initially local retail merchants thought his lamps were ugly and disgusting. Luckily, for Craven Walker the "Psychedelic Movement" and the "Love Generation" came to dominate 60's merchandising in Great Britain and sales of the lava lamp soared. It was the perfect light for modern times, Walker declared. "If you buy my lamp, you won't need to buy drugs."

Craven Walker perfected a secret Lava recipe of oil, wax and other solids. The original model had a large gold base with tiny holes to simulate starlight, and a 52 oz. globe that contained red or white Lava and yellow or blue liquid. He marketed the lamp in Europe under the name of Astro Lamp. Two American entrepreneurs saw the lava lamp displayed at a German trade show and bought the rights to manufacture the lava lamp in North America under the name Lava Lite lamp.

Before selling his company, sales of the lamps had exceeded seven million units. Today with over 400,000 lava lamps made each year, the Lava Lamp is enjoying a comeback. Craven Walker's originally company, the Crestworth Company, changed names to Mathmos in 1995 (a reference to the bubbling force in Barbarella.) They still manufacture the Astro, Astro Baby, and more Lava Lamps in their original home of Poole, Dorset, UK.

Answer 2

The lava lamp craze cooled by the late 1970s. But the public again warmed to the lamps, and in 2000 Mathmos sold some 800,000. The U.S.-based Lava Lite supplies millions per year to retailers such as Target and Wal-Mart.

Answer 3

It was invented in the 1960's by a man named Edward Craven-Walker.

Answer 4

Originally called the Astro Lamp, the lava lamp was first released in 1965. Invented and released by Edward Craven-Walker, from his company Crestworth.

Answer 5

The Astro Lamp, later called the Lava Lamp, was launched in 1963 just ahead of the craze for all things psychedelic.

Answer 6

Lava lamp was created in 1968.

Answer 7

1963

Answer 8

1963 in England