In 1963, Ringo Starr unknowingly helped change the future of a celebrated British brand when he visited a shop in Birkenhead. Ringo had stopped by to purchase a lava lamp, a mesmerizing interior piece known for its slow movement of liquid and warmed wax inside a glass cylinder. The shop announced Ringo’s visit, leading to a surge in lava lamp sales.
The popularity of lava lamps continued to rise, with appearances in Doctor Who and the film Dr. Who and the Daleks. The lamps became a cultural mainstay and are still going strong 60 years later, despite challenges such as changing audiences, economic downturns, online shopping, and Brexit.
To celebrate their 60th anniversary, Mathmos, the company behind the brand, is collaborating with artists, designers, and well-known names like Duran Duran and Rankin to launch a series of new designs.
Rankin, a celebrity photographer, has a special connection to the brand, as he featured lava lamps in images for his magazine Dazed & Confused in the 1990s. He describes lava lamps as a nostalgic memory for those who grew up in the 80s and is delighted that they have come back into fashion.
Lava lamps are often associated with student digs and late nights listening to Radiohead in someone’s bedroom. They gained popularity in the 1960s as a symbol of the hippy, psychedelic counterculture. Musicians like Paul McCartney and David Bowie further boosted their popularity.
Mathmos, still operating from its small factory in Poole, Dorset, weathered the test of time. The current owner started selling the lamps on a market stall in Camden in the late 1980s. The lamps quickly sold out and attracted famous buyers like musician Marc Almond.
After renting a shop in London, the owner reached out to the inventor of the lava lamps to buy the formula. Although the inventor declined to sell, a deal was eventually struck. The company has since grown, despite challenges in manufacturing and exportation.
Mathmos now exports primarily to Europe, with Germany being a strong market for the lamps. The brand has a dedicated collector’s community, and they continue to sell bulbs for the original 1960s designs.
Despite Brexit and competition from imitations, Mathmos remains committed to promoting the history and quality of their original lava lamps. The brand has faced many obstacles over the years but has managed to survive and thrive.
Visiting Mathmos’ factory in Poole, one can see the dedication of the small team of workers who fill each bottle by hand. The brand looks forward to many more years of success and continued appreciation from those who consider lava lamps a cherished part of British culture.
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