FOUNDER

Edward Craven Walker founder of Mathmos

Edward Craven-Walker was the inventor of lava lamps and founder of Mathmos. He launched the first lava lamp, the astro, in 1963 to instant and enduring popularity. “I think it will always be popular. It’s like the cycle of life. It grows, breaks up, falls down and then stars all over again” E. Craven Walker.

The First Lava Lamp

The lava lamp was developed from a design for an egg timer using two liquids spotted in a Dorset pub. Craven Walker spent years developing this into a light for manufacture initially using cocktail and orange squash bottles.

The Craven Walkers in the 1960s

The Craven Walkers grew the business together during the 60s and 70s manufacturing and selling their lava lamps world-wide. Edward remained a consultant to Mathmos until his sad death in 2000. Christine still lives near the factory in Dorset and kindly signed our 50th anniversary limited edition.

The Cast of Hair Visit the Craven Walkers

The most controversial musical of 1968 was the musical Hair, inspired by the hippie counterculture and sexual revolution of the time. The musical shocked New York and London theatre goers with its depiction of drugs, its sexuality and its nude scene. The cast were happy to accept an invitation from the Craven Walkers to visit them at their home in Dorset.

Great British Eccentric

Edward Craven Walker was a man of many interests. His modes of transport included a helicopter and a fire engine, he always drove a British made Jaguar. He was an underwater film maker and a naturist. Owning a naturist camp in Dorset and showing one of his underwater naturist films in Leicester Square.

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