Mathmos Lava Lamps in Museums

Mathmos lava lamps, iconic symbols of 1960s counterculture, have found their way into museums worldwide, celebrated as both design masterpieces and cultural artefacts. Created in 1963 by British inventor Edward Craven Walker, these lamps embody the era’s spirit of innovation and rebellion. Their mesmerising, ever-changing patterns of floating wax have made them enduring symbols of creativity and relaxation.

Today, Mathmos lava lamps are showcased in design and technology museums, where they are appreciated for their aesthetic appeal and engineering ingenuity. Museums that have featured Mathmos lamps in exhibitions that explore the intersection of art, science, and popular culture include;

UK: The Design Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, Museum of the Home in London, The Natural History Museum, The Poole Museum and The Science Museum.

Germany: Hessisches Landesmuseum Darmstadt, Vitra Design Museum, Museum fur Kunst und Gewerbe Hamburg

Other: Planet Digital Exhibition at Museum fur Gestaltung Zurich, Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, New York, Science Museerne Denmark, Norway’s Vitemeir.

The presence of Mathmos lava lamps in museums underscores their lasting impact on design and culture. They are not just decorative objects; they are icons of a transformative period in history. Museums celebrate them as examples of how simple yet innovative designs can capture the imagination of generations and influence broader cultural trends. The continued fascination with Mathmos lava lamps highlights their status as timeless pieces that transcend their original purpose, becoming emblematic of an era and a source of inspiration for future generations.

Mathmos X Museum of the Home

Mathmos partnered with London’s recently renovated, Museum of the Home (formerly Jeffrey Museum) to offer a giveaway of three Astro Copper lava lamps as giveaway prizes on our Instagram pages. This was to celebrate the newly renovated Rooms Through Time at Museum of the Home in London where you’ll discover a stunning Mathmos Astro Copper lava lamp showcased in A Terraced House in 1978.

Join us on socials for future giveaways.