The lava lamp is one of the grooviest inventions of the '60s, and a true icon of psychedelic pop culture. From its quirky beginnings to its status as a staple of '70s dorm rooms and beyond, the lava lamp’s molten magic has been mesmerizing generations.
These photos take you on a visual journey through the lamp’s evolution, from its humble birth in a British bar to its role as the ultimate chill-out companion. So sit back, relax, and let the hypnotic blobs of wax guide you through the colorful history of the lava lamp!
1
It all began in a British pub…
In 1963, Edward Craven Walker, a British inventor (and nudist, fun fact!), spotted a homemade egg timer bubbling behind a bar and saw psychedelic potential.
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From egg timer to icon!
That quirky contraption inspired Craven Walker to create the Astro Lamp, later known as the lava lamp.
3
Straight outta Dorset!
Walker’s company, Crestworth, started hand-assembling lava lamps in the sleepy town of Poole, England. Far out, right?
4
Let there be blob!
The secret? Colored wax floating in clear liquid, heated by a bulb. Heat up, blob rises. Cool down, blob sinks. Mesmerizing magic.
5
Welcome to America, man!
In 1965, U.S. entrepreneur Adolph Wertheimer brought the lava lamp stateside, renaming it the Lava Lite.
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Turn on, tune in, blob out.
By the late '60s, lava lamps were the symbol of the psychedelic era, found in every groovy den and dorm room across America.
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Mood lighting for the revolution.
While protests, rock festivals, and flower power swirled outside, lava lamps swirled quietly inside.
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Chill groove + lava = love.
Even into the '70s, lava lamps lit up the groovy era.
9
Hollywood got in on the glow.
They popped up in movies like Earth Girls Are Easy. Lava lamps became an all-American classic.
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Fading with the polyester…
By the '80s, the groove was out and sleek, high-tech, neon, and futuristic styles were in. This made the lava lamp fade out a bit.
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A comeback in a bottle.
In the '90s, lava lamps made a kitschy comeback. Gen Xers and Boomers snapped them up for nostalgia.
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Lava’s still lit!
Today, original models are collectors' gold, and modern versions come in wild colors and sizes.
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Lava never goes out of style.
From mid-century modern to Y2K decor, lava lamps glow through the decades, always a vibe, never a fad.
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Nostalgic groove
The lava lamp now glows on as a nostalgic nod to simpler, groovier times.
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Still groovin’ after all these years.
Whether you saw your first lava lamp at Woodstock or your friend’s house, one thing's for sure: lava lamps are eternal.