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Mathmos - The original lava lamps - invented by founder Edward Craven-Walker in 1963

Here we find out about the origins and history of the much-loved Mathmos lava lamps and about how this sixties icon has been kept up-to-date.

Digger talked to Cressida Granger, the MD at Mathmos....

Digger: Can you please tell us a little bit about the background to Mathmos Cressida? 

Cressida: At Mathmos we design, manufacture and market our own range of award winning branded ambient lights. We are proud of both our long British manufacturing history and of our Queens Award winning exports. Millions of people have been proud to give and delighted to own Mathmos products all over the world for 50 years. 

The Mathmos story begins with the invention of the lava lamp by our founder Edward Craven-Walker in 1963. Mr. Craven-Walker was a great British inventor, entrepreneur and eccentric. Apart from inventing the lava lamp he also made underwater naturist films, flew helicopters, drove a fire engine, was a world war two pilot, a talented accountant, entertained the cast of the 60s musical Hair and owned a naturist camp in Dorset. Mr. Craven-Walker originally developed the lava lamp from a design for an egg timer he saw in a Dorset pub. Taking years to develop the formula, original models were made with orange squash bottles.

The “Astro” and “Astro Baby” were the first two lava lamps launched in 1963 and 1964 respectively. They were an instant hit and became one of the defining products of the swinging ‘60s appearing in cult TV series ''The Prisoner" and "Dr Who". They were manufactured in Poole, Dorset, and have been in continuous production in the UK ever since. Mathmos now design and make a range of brilliant ambient lights. 

Digger: Mathmos and their lamps have proved popular with each passing generation. Why do you think that is? 

Cressida: Mathmos lights and lava lamps appeal for several reasons. Firstly, like an open fire chaotically moving shapes and colours just draw people in and appeal to human beings of all ages and nationalities. Secondly Mathmos lava lamps are the real thing, a piece of British cultural history. 

Digger: Can you please tell us more about some of the newer products you are offering there? 

Cressida: Mathmos made a range of LED lamps for the house and garden all of which are ideal gifts. The Bump Lantern is a portable indoor/outdoor light with a unique ‘bump’ switch mechanism, allowing you to choose between four light settings. It’s ideal as a summer garden light or a year-round child friendly portable light. The Chuppi, an art toy and wireless colour changing light, suitable for children and adult toy collectors of all ages. Can be used as a child’s night light and can be customised with the supplied stickers for your own unique Chuppi. Solar Moons are solar-powered mouth blown glass lamps that can be charged during the day and cast either a cool blue or elegant white light by night.  

Our newest Lava Lamp is the Smart Astro, a colour changing Astro lamp which is a new take on a classic design using cutting edge technology. 

Digger: What lines tend to be the most popular? 

Cressida: Mathmos lava lamps have always been part of the success story of Mathmos, along with the Space Projectors which cast wonderful moving images onto a wall or ceiling. These are our enduring and most popular products. In recent years LED products like Aduki, Bump lantern and Jellywash have been very popular. 

Digger: Why do you think that generally all kinds of retro, vintage and nostalgia is so increasingly popular with so many people these days? 

Cressida: Looking back into the past has always been popular. Now we are in the twenty-first century products made in the twentieth century seem further away and more interesting. 

Digger: Who are your 'typical' customers, where are they coming from and what customer feedback/comments do you get? 

Cressida: Our customers come from all walks of life and of all ages. We have the people who were there at Mathmos’ beginning, ardent collectors of every one of our original models, through to newcomers and children of parents who had lava lamps in their youth. We have a huge European presence, and customers from as far as Russia, the USA and Australia. 

Digger: What would you say is special about the Mathmos customer experience and your products? 

Cressida: We pride ourselves on quality products and feel our products are a cut above the rest. As the inventors of the lamp, we feel our proprietary lava formula is the best and longest-lasting in the market. We pride ourselves on our customer service, and receive many repeat customers over the years. 

Digger: What are the best and most enjoyable aspects for you of running Mathmos? 

Cressida: Some things stay constant, our heritage products for instance, but much changes. The best part is meeting people who love Mathmos lights. 

Digger: What are your plans for Mathmos in the future Cressida? 

Cressida: We are revving up for our 50th birthday next year, so watch this space.