Mr Walker saw the foundation of the idea of the lava lamp from a contraption at a country pub in the New Forest in England. This pub named: Queen's Head still exists today. Queen's Head. The Cross, Burley, Ringwood, Hampshire BH24 4AB Tel. 01425 403423.

It is amazing that Edward Craven Walker's wonderful vision created multiple generations of stunning lighting products. After numerous prototypes, the ‘Astro’ was released in 1963. The early Astro had liquid wax as apposed to a solid wax formula and came in a copper anodised finish.

The 1960s Part 1 Page focuses on the very first Astro design including the original and first packaging of the lamps. It shows an early brochure showing the Astro Range, Glitterlite & Living Jewel models. This page also reveals other products like the Crestworth Cannon Timer and the elusive Mistrolite.

Crestworth Since 1963. 1960s Section: 2.

The second page regarding the 1960s can be accessed by clicking on the image on the left. This page focuses on more Crestworth items from the 1960s. This page shows a variety of 1960s Crestworth items including: Traction Lamp, Astro Nordic, Cannon Timer, Images of the factory, Diagrams of the Crestworth Princess and much more.

This section also displays screenshots of the Crestworth Princess models that were featured in early Doctor Who episodes. This beautiful Crestworth gigantic lamp, features a huge cylindrical glass vessel that contains a special liquid based wax. The formula is liquid based and is optimised for fast warmup times.

This means that the Princess requires post production filling and needs to be filled in the final resting place of the lamp.

The Princess' glass cylinder is topped with a copper finished cap and the base is manufactured from a copper form supported by three hardwood legs. This lamp is known to be one of the most elusive lamps and only a handful have been seen. They are highly impressive and extremely elegant.

This page also shows images of early an Crestworth Astro Design featured on TV programmes at the time such as The Prisoner. The Prisoner was a very popular TV series and has a cult following. Lava projections can been seen throughout the series. Click on the image on the left to enter this section.

 

Crestworth Cannon Timer.

This page is dedicated to an extremely rare non-electrical item produced by Crestworth named the Cannon Timer. Click on the image on the left to enter this section.

Featuring a beautiful design, this Crestworth product was designed as a luxury timer which provided a general reminder. Further to this, this product is so unique as it is completely different to anything else produced by Crestworth. It contains two liquids which do not mix and transfer location slowly as time progresses. When the time has fully passed, the liquids exchange locations completely.

The Cannon Timer features movable wheels and the body of the product moves up and down. The bands also move so one can select a time frame to time. This model has only been seen with the clear/red colour combination. It is unknown the various colour combinations that this product featured.

With its elegant Gold Plated finish, the Crestworth Cannon Timer is the ideal ornamental telephone timer (or luxury egg timer) with a difference, its fascinating rising coloured oil action is just the thing for those who prefer an intriguing "gentle reminder" to tire-some split-second accuracy.

The Cannon Timer is a very elegant yet fragile piece, the model above is original and very elegant. It is a non-electrical item from Crestworth and probably the only non-electrical item in the Crestworth product lineup. It can also be seen in early Crestworth catalogues.

Crestworth Since 1963. 1970s Section: 1.

Crestworth went from strength to strength in the 1970s. They diversified into fibre optic lighting and continued production of their wildly popular Astro Range and Glitter based products. This page is the first page dedicated to the 1970s.

There are three pages of this kind regarding the 1970s. It features a brochure image featuring the Astro range and the glitter based products. Details and packaging of the Astro Mini can be seen.

The differences in Crestworth Telstar design are examined, looking at the early two part base design. The Crestworth Glitterlite was in production and was available in four amazing colours: Ruby, Emerald, Sapphire and Amber.

The Telstar was highly successful in export markets for Crestworth. This page also looks at the Crestworth Living Jewel, a fast moving solvent based glitter lamp.

The Living Jewel: The brochure reads: The sparkling interchange of colours create a "Jewel to Delite". Design and workmanship of this lamp is of high quality, meeting all new electrical requirements and conforms with the safety recommendations of the Department of Trade. Height 16" Base Width 4 1/4"

The page also concludes with images of the Glitterlite wall mounted lamps that are absolutely stunning.

Click on the image on the left to enter this section.

Crestworth Since 1963. 1970s Section: 2.

This section continues the 1970s with more information and images on the Phantom Lite. The Phantom Lite is a small fibre optic lamp that was sold by Crestworth and is one of the most popular fibre optic lamps that were produced by Crestworth. It is very commonly seen, but these little lamps are very beautiful and display an amazing light show then plugged in.

Crestworth's 1970s Fibre Optic Range Included: Phantom Lite, Super Phantom via Supplementary Base, Snowflake, Crystalite (Marked Discontinued on the Brochure), Flowerlite & Galaxy.

It also features a small introduction to the Crestworth Twiggy.

Click on the image on the left to enter this section.

Crestworth Since 1963. 1970s Section: 3.

More eye-candy from the 1970s. This page focuses on the 1970s product lineup, pictures of the Astro Mini packaging and a wealth of info regarding the Crestworth Galaxy. The Astro Mini with its sleek and wonderful design is a timeless classic. Currently still in production today in a silver finish and called Astrobaby, the Mini is a very beautiful and elegant design.

The Crestworth Galaxy was a stunning piece and featured glass fibre optics placed under a patented enclosure that protected them from dust and hands. Sadly after the 1970s, styles changed and the 1980s brought bad news for Crestworth. The company found the demand for their products had vanished and the company started to decrease in production. It was only in 1989 and the early 1990s, did the revival of the Astro begin on a path to restore it to its former glory.

Click on the image on the left to enter this section.

A look at the Crestworth Twiggy. Special Feature.

Whilst Crestworth Ltd was a powerhouse of kinetic lighting, it produced a rather unsual product called Twiggy. Remaining unseen for so long, this clever little lamp is Crestworth's answer to functional lighting. It was even unsold in the Flying Duck closing down sale, yet this humble little lamp is a really special design. Along with the Canon Timer, Mistrolite and other Crestworth rarities this lamp is very rarely seen.

Twiggy is described as "THE SENSATIONAL ALL-PURPOSE LAMP" in a 1970s Crestworth Brochure. Think of any situation where a flexible all purpose lamp could be used, then think of Twiggy. A copper version and a silver coloured version have been seen.

Featuring a humble design that is testament to simplicity being core to any design, Twiggy can be moved around in so many different ways to shine where ever you want it to.

A big thank you goes to the kind people who ran a retro store called Flying Duck in London for their images and kindness. I was able to document this product so well thanks to their beautiful images. This lamp is now owned by my friend Arne.

Click on the image on the left to enter this section.

1970s Crestworth Galaxy. Approx 40,000 Shining Lights.

This page focuses on the Crestworth Galaxy. There are photos, a patent diagram and even the original instructions typed out of this wonderful beautiful Crestworth fibre optic lamp. The Galaxy and the Phantom Lite are the two most commonly found Crestworth fibre optic lamps, therefore this means they were extremely popular in their original time. The Crestworth Galaxy was the only Crestworth fibre optic piece to feature a patented sealed unit that keeps the glass fibres completely safe and clean. This page also shows the Crestworth Galaxy with the original perspex stand, which elevates the product. The Crestworth Galaxy goes through beautiful colours and is a stunning piece.

Tens of thousands of minutely fine glass fibre optics artistically arranged to create an ever-moving, swaying sea of light, gently changing from one vivid colour to another.

Special Sealed Unit - There is a special patent "sealed unit" to contain the sharp, penetrating glass fibres in complete safety - away from inquisitive hands.

Lamp-Housing. - This "sealed unit" Fibre-Housing stands on a Lamp-Housing which is fitted with a Tungsten-Halogen bulb (6 volt-20 watts), a transformer and two electric motors, one of which drives a rotating coloured disc and the other a fan which gently fans the fibres to and fro.

Please Note: There were will be a variety of coloured discs available, so, these are easily inter-changeable should you keep in touch with your retailer if you are interested. HOW TO CHANGE THE COLOUR DISC OF A "GALAXY".

1. Remove the "sealed unit" Fibre-Housing and stand this on some soft surface.

2. Carefully remove the main part of the Lamp-Housing from its black supporting dome (which may be a tight fit) and ... Instructions are continued on the page.

Click on the image on the left to enter this section.

The Inventor of the Astro Lamp: Mr Edward Craven Walker.

This page is dedicated to Edward Craven Walker (1918 –- August 15, 2000), born in Singapore, is mainly remembered as being the inventor of the psychedelic ‘Astro’ Lamp, or ‘Lava Lamp’ as it is known in America. Click on the images on the left to enter this page.
Craven Walker was also an accomplished pilot and during WWII flew a DeHavilland Mosquito over Germany taking photographs of enemy positions. Despite the distinct danger of flying deep into enemy territory with no lights and armed only with a 3D camera, he successfully made it through the war.

After the end of the war Craven Walker set about developing an idea he had seen in a country pub. The pub had on display a contraption that fascinated Craven and he vowed to expand on the concept. While the device itself was fairly rudimentary, Craven saw its potential and set about perfecting it.

The lamps were a massive success through the 60's, becoming symbolic of psychedelia, and virtually every household had one. Craven Walker said of its mesmerizing motions, "If you buy my lamp, you won't need drugs... I think it will always be popular. It's like the cycle of life. It grows, breaks up, falls down and then starts all over again". Through the high-flying 80's the ‘Astro’ lamp was considered extremely unfashionable and Crestworth pretty much closed down. However, in the early 90's, a young couple once again saw the potential of the lamps and began manufacturing and selling them successfully. Cressida Granger and David Mulley approached Craven Walker after becoming interested in the Astro’s popularity at Camden Market. Craven Walker offered them a deal penned on a piece of A4 paper. Mr. Walker remained a minority shareholder in the company for five years and then remained a consultant at Mathmos until he passed away.
It is a tribute to him that his invention has stood the test of time & continues to touch the hearts of many people. He will be sadly missed. Click on the image on the left to enter this section.

Sata-lite aka "Hunter" Lamps.

This section is dedicated to Sata-lite lamps also known as Hunter Lamps.

Hunter lamps were cheaply made competitor lava and glitter lamps that were produced in the 1970s in the UK.

The company was run by John Edward Hunter of which the patents are awarded to and was in direct competition with Edward Craven Walker's Crestworth company of Poole.

Normally found open at the base, the Hunter lamps were very cheaply made. The lamps were awarded a patent after numerous Crestworth patents, however they never returned to mass manufacture the lamps and vanished after the 1970s.

They were commonly seen in the George and Mildred TV Series. Mildred explains to George how the lamp works and there is a great scene where George has stolen power from the neighbour next door via an extension cable. When the neighbour starts pulling the cable, the lamp keeps moving mysteriously. These particular episodes of George and Mildred are hilarious and the whole series is worth watching.

Remarkably, there is a surprising amount of interest in these models within the collecting community, they are often confused as Crestworth items, thus they have been indexed. They also produced glitter lamps and are commonly seen. Click on the image on the left to enter this section.

Early 1990s. The Revival.

Find out more about the early 1990s by clicking on the image on the left.

Some of the known Products in Production: Astro, Comet, Jet, Rocket (Clear/Blue), (Clear/Red).

Astro - Height 17" Silver Anodised Finish.

Comet - Gloss White Enamel Finish.

Jet - Height 16" Gloss Black Enamel.

Rocket - Height: 18.5 " Chrome Base and Cap. Most expensive product of the lineup.

Colour Combinations that were in production: Violet/Red, Violet/Orange, Blue/Red, Blue/Blue, Green/Red, Green/Yellow, Yellow/Red. This page documents the start of the revival of the Lava Lamp. In 1989, Cressida Granger and David Mulley started the path of restoring the Astro back to its former glory.

They predicted a revival in the Astro lamp and created some of the most dazzling and beautiful kinetic products. This page displays the products placed in production during the early 1990s, including the Crestworth Comet and the stunning Crestworth Giant lamp, which can be seen in the image on the left.

Mid 1990s at Mathmos.

This page is dedicated to the range in production during the Mid 1990s. Here are some of the products that are featured on this page. Lunar: Polished Aluminium base and cap. Two Models: Violet Liquid and Red Lava. Yellow Liquid and red lava. 80cm tall. Find more about the Mid 1990s by clicking on the image on the left.

Jupiter 2: £195 Polished aluminium, glass fibres, perspex dome. h:32cm w: 47cm One model: light colours: blue,red,yellow and green. Launched by Mathmos 1992 discontinued 1996.

Sputnik: £39.95 Anodised and polished aluminium. H: 20cm W:30cm 3 Models: silver/blue, silver/purple & silver. 3 aromas are included: sandalwood, lemon and patchouli.

Astro: £49.95 - Silver Anodised Aluminium. 5 Colour Combinations. Violet/Red, Violet/Orange, Clear/Grey, Blue/White and Pink/Orange.

Jet: £39.95. Black anodised aluminium. 5 Colour Combinations.

Faze 2: Launched by mathmos 1995 discontinued 1997 approx. 2 Versions.

Telstar: £59.95. Polished silver legs, various coloured anodised aluminium bodies. Continued...

Special Feature: Mathmos Jupiter 2.

Jupiter 2: £195 Polished aluminium, glass fibres, perspex dome. h:32cm w: 47cm One model: light colours: blue,red,yellow and green. Launched by Mathmos 1992 discontinued 1996. Thank you to Phill for the images of his Mathmos Jupiter 2.

Find out more about Jupiter 2, by clicking on the image on the left.

 

Late 1990s at Mathmos.

This page is dedicated to the later 1990s products produced by Mathmos. You can see a selection of brochure scans and product models and press cuttings. Find out more regarding the Late 1990s by clicking on the image on the left.

Queen's Awards: Where Kitch Means Cash. 21st April 1997 Press Cutting: Independant.

The lava lamp and the adjective "naff" have been in circulation for roughly the same time. Rarely have the two been separated. The lava lamp was naff when kitsch was a word barely pronounced outside Germany, and irony unknown in home furnishing.

But a happy collision of naffness, kitsch, fashion and irony has kept the lava lamp in production for over 30 years, outlasting many of the seaside tat specialists which were its first stockists. Its unsophisticated appeal is apparently universal and - with some irony - particularly marked in Germany, a country whose fondness for pointless frippery has remained one of its less visible features. More than 500,000 lamps are now made every year at a totally non-ironic brick building on an industrial estate in Poole, Dorset, and 65 per cent of them go abroad, mostly to Europe. More inside the page ...

Featuring images of the Astro Range (Astro, Astrobaby, Telstar, Glitterbaby, Jet, Fibre Space, Faze 3, Lunar), Space Projector. This also shows the Dayglow jets, the brochure states they are released in early 1999.

 

Year 2000 Product Range Part: 1.

This section is devoted to the the Year 2000 at Mathmos, this section is divided into three pages. Click on the image on the left to enter this section.

This page specifically focuses on: The overall product range at the time, Glitterbaby, Astrobaby, Jet, Millenium Telstar, 3-In-1 Astro & Misc Brochure Scans.

One can see a wide selection of images including the promotional shots featuring the Mathmos Man photographed with a wide selection of products. There is also a chart that features the product range and the colour combinations during this time.

Year 2000 Product Range Part: 3.

This final page regarding the Year 2000 - shows the Mathmos Lunar. A stunning 80cm tall beautiful lava lamp shaped like a rocket. The Lunar remains one of those most beautiful Mathmos lamps produced, it was essentially the flagship and high-end model of the Lava range at this period of time.

Also featured are information and pictures regarding the Mathmos lamp toppers which were fun characters that are placed on selected compatible lamps and glow. There were three different fun characters: Mathmos Man, Glitterbaby and Astrobaby.

One can also see images regarding the Mathmos brand and club. The club was a really cool way to build a relationship with Mathmos' loyal customer base and get money off lamps with points.

Further to this there are images of Mathmos at Old Street and Drury Lane. Also included are scanned beautiful images of the Mathmos factory from the air.

Click on the image on the left to enter this section.

 

Special Feature: Mathmos Fibre Space.

Mathmos is well known for a range of Astro Lava Lamps and Glitter lamps. However, just like Crestworth in 1970s, Mathmos even in the early 1990s, designed and produced their own range of lively fibre optic lamps.

Fibre optic lamps essentially contain a bulb which produces light, this light enters tiny long optical fibres which produce tiny star looking dots of light at the end of the fibres.

The real fun is when a colour wheel is added to the design. A rotating coloured wheel driven by a motor will create an array of colours projected through the fibers. Mathmos produced a selection of these lamps including the stunning Jupiter 2 & Starburst models. This page focuses on the last fibre optic lamp introduced by Mathmos in the 1990s. It was discontinued due to the sheer amount of copies that flooded the market. Nevertheless no copy, can beat the beautiful design of the Fibre Space.

This page also features inside views to the components of the Fibre Space and shows the location of the bulb, handy if you need to repair one of this beautiful pieces. This page is dedicated to the Mathmos Fibre Space. Click on the image on the left to enter this page.

Mathmos Year 1999-2000 Master Index Chart.

A complete index of the Year 1999-2000 Product Range & Colour Combination Chart. This page features a high resolution scan of the Mathmos Quick Reference chart.

It features a detailed chart of all the colour combinations in production. Other custom colours have surfaced but these colours were the mainstream default colours that shipped to most of the public. Click on the image on the left to enter this section.

Mathmos Fluidium by Ross Lovegrove.

A lamp that needs no introduction due to its iconic shape.

This is Ross Lovegrove's vision of the new Lava Lamp, some call it kinetic art, some call it stunning, I call it genius. Originally shipped in four colours, Opal, Orange, Yellow and Green. The official and original colours of the Fluidium were:

Opal Body: Clear/ White.

Yellow Body: Clear/Yellow.

Green Body: Clear/Green, Blue/Green,

Orange Body: Clear/Orange, Purple/Orange.

With the two first colours being withdrawn from production. This lamp is still a triumph of design and proves that with creativity and design the Mathmos original Lava Lamp is the eternal design icon of our time.

Click on the image on the left to enter the Fluidium Section. The Opal Fluidium was one of my first lamps as I sit here typing this, this is flowing in front of me.

Mathmos Glitterball & Year 2000 Product Range.

This page is dedicated to more of the Year 2000 product range but also features images of the Glitterball lineup produced by Mathmos. Some of the colours have never been seen in person and only in the brochure. Glitterball is essentially metallic lava and combines the best of a glitter lamp with a lava lamp.

The desired effect of the Glitterball is to produce slow moving shapes that flow in a bottle. These lamps are mesmerising but don't flow as fast as a traditional Astro Lamp. The Glitterball was produced in various colours and in silver.

The Silver model was also sold with the Telstar rocket base and cap as well as the Astrobaby Base and Cap. I remember seeing a silver Telstar Glitterball in a London department store called Peter Jones when I was a younger. Click on the image on the left to enter this section.

Special Feature: Mathmos Astro Flock.

Astro Flock was something for the fans and collectors of the Astro. In the 1990s Mathmos introduced the Flock Range.

Flock is essentially an Astro covered in flocked fluffy material, that is fun to touch and feel. There were 3 colours that were produced: Orange, Red & Green.

The coloured contents of the bottle were usually the opposite colour to the base and cap. Also the flocked bottles used the same colours for the fluid and the wax. The Orange featured a Violet/Violet bottle. The Red featured a Green/Green bottle. The boxes shipped with the flock logo cut from flocked fluffy material and pasted on the front and top of the product's box.

The Astro Flock had a sticker stating the number of the Flock on the underside of the base. The base features cutouts which have translucent widgets placed into the holes that glow when the lamp is switched on. These widgets feature the Mathmos logo. The cap is also flocked.

Each lamp had a dimmer on the cable and featured a certificate signed by Edward Craven Walker. Further to this only 1000 of each colour were produced. These lamps do have a huge following. Flocks are fluffy but they do rule. Click on the image on the left to enter this section.

Exclusive Feature: Mathmos Astro Sabai Promotional Lamp.

Mathmos lamps have always reflected the most beautiful forms of kinetic lighting.

The Astro Lamp, Mr Craven Walker's invention became an icon in the 1960s and 1970s. Mathmos' products have on occasion been seen to be customised to be used as corporate gifts or as promotional items.

The Astro Sabai is essentially a violet/ red Astro, however the bottle features an exotic array of beautiful artwork which has been printed onto the bottle. The graphics show a wide range of objects and add a graphic feel to the lamp which adds depth and character to the piece.

One of these lamps surfaced for sale and was purchased by my friend Martin. We both share a passion for Mathmos and for Rainbow, the children's programme that features Zippy.

Thank you kindly to Martin for taking images of this wonderful product.

Click on the image on the left to enter this section.

Exclusive Feature: Mathmos Astrobaby Customised for The Beatles' Love Album.

The Lava Lamp is an icon of the 1960s and so are The Beatles Both icons joined forces in 2006 to create a limited edition lamp to celebrate the release of The Beatles' Love Album which was released in 2006.

This lamp was gifted only to select industry & media execs, and lamp has a customised emblem engraved into the aluminium base and is filled with a cool red lava-liquid which complements the yellow masterfluid nicely. Apart from the base being engraved the lamp is identical to an ordinary Mathmos Astrobaby lamp. It has been seen with the Yellow/Red Mathmos colour combination.

Arguably one of the most elusive & desirable pieces of promotional Beatles memorabilia of recent times, and there were just 50 lamps made.

A definite conversation piece with all the coolness and glam. Very funky. Please see the image assortment below. The item below is not owned by myself personally but it is considered to be extremely desirable to Beatles' collectors and of course Mathmos collectors too.

Click on the image on the left to enter this section.