The lava lamp was invented by British inventor Edward Craven Walker in 1963. Walker, who initially worked as an accountant and film producer, was inspired by a homemade egg timer he saw in a pub in the 1950s. The egg timer used a combination of oil and water to create a mesmerizing, flowing effect, which sparked Walker’s imagination. He experimented with liquids and dyes until he perfected the formula for the lava lamp. His original company, Mathmos, began producing the lamps under the name “Astro Lamp.”
The lava lamp became a cultural icon in the 1960s and 70s, embodying the psychedelic aesthetic of the time. Mathmos is still in business today, producing lava lamps and other unique lighting products based on Walker’s original design.
