The Original lava lamp the "Astro" was invented by Edward Craven-Walker in 1963. His invention was based on a war time egg timer. We still make lava lamps in Poole, Dorset, UK. Mr Craven-Walker remained a consultant at Mathmos until his sad death in 2000.
‘Forty Five years later, the Lava lamp is still tripping people out.’ Telegraph Weekend
‘still made in the original factory in the UK… the Astro ‘Lava lamp’ has become an icon of sixties design culture’ Design Icons by Harrods & the Design Museum