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.
2
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.
6
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.
7
Mood lighting for the revolution.
While protests, rock festivals, and flower power swirled outside, lava lamps swirled quietly inside.
8
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.
10
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.
11
A comeback in a bottle.
In the '90s, lava lamps made a kitschy comeback. Gen Xers and Boomers snapped them up for nostalgia.
12
Lava’s still lit!
Today, original models are collectors' gold, and modern versions come in wild colors and sizes.
13
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.
15
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.
