www.britishinvention.com | The History of the Lava Lamp | The Crestworth Era | The Start of the History of the lava lamp invented by Edward Craven Walker.

Below: After decades of lava lamp research, Edward Craven Walker introduced the iconic Astro lava lamp in 1963. The Astro lamp would become a landmark product and a simply timeless piece of lighting history. The Astro lamp would be followed by a mini version titled Astro Mini. Other variations include Astro Lantern, which merge the fascination of a ship storm lantern with all things Astro. Astro Lantern was even featured with nautical colour-ways such as: Starboard and Port. Astro Nordic, utilised a tubular bottle on a wide variety of base and cap designs. Cosmos, often seen in France and other export markets featured the Nordic bottle placed on a pedestal style base. Crestworth's Telstar presented an entry-level design featuring a flared base design with a flat cap.

Other lighting concepts by Crestworth were also created such as the Traction lamp, Cannon Timer, Mistrolite and Aromalite. Crestworth also created a very clever functional white light titled: Twiggy, which would feature versatile geometry. Crestworth also entered the world of Glitter with Glitterlite and Living Jewel to create dazzling beautiful glitter lamp designs. Glitterlite presents slow moving shimmering glitter. Living Jewel by Crestworth presented a faster glittering effect with larger pieces of glitter swirling. Crestworth diversified into decorative fibre optic designs which are still highly collectable and beautiful today. Fibre optic examples include: Galaxy and PhantomLite to name just two.

www.britishinvention.com | The History of the Lava Lamp | The Crestworth Era | Brochure image showing the iconic Astro lava lamp.

Below: Perfect anywhere. Designed to suit any mood, any decor -in the home, office or public space. The 'professional extra for waiting rooms, halls and reception areas. Metal parts gleaming 'copper anodic finish'. Vintage Astro lamps can be restored with the new Mathmos Astro bottle, however early Astro lamp examples which use the beverage bottle will need to be refilled by hand.

www.britishinvention.com | The History of the Lava Lamp | The Crestworth Era | Early Astro Lamp 'Stockists Manual' showing range ...

Below: Early 'Astro' Lamp Range: Astro, Astro Nordic (Cosmos Model), Princess, Astro Mini and Astro Lantern designs ... A design for every home style and mood.

www.britishinvention.com | The History of the Lava Lamp | The Crestworth Era | Advertisement images showing the iconic Astro & Astro Mini lava lamps.

Below: A beautiful line advertisement for the Astro and the Astro Mini lava lamp, showing the typical places to display the Astro lava lamp.

www.britishinvention.com | The History of the Lava Lamp | The Crestworth Era | The Astro Mini Design & Restoration of the Astro Mini lava lamp.

Below: Just like the Astro lamp, the Astro Mini is an iconic design and since 1997, it has been known as Astro Mini. Since its first creation it has little changed, except for the trading of the copper finish for the modern aluminium finish and a white finish (the later launched in 2009). This means that the Astro Mini is fully compatible with Astro Baby bottles, allowing Astro Mini owners to restore their lava lamp at ease. Below one can see a vintage Astro Mini which has been restored with a Clear/Pink Mathmos Astro Baby bottle and working perfectly.

www.britishinvention.com | The History of the Lava Lamp | The Crestworth Era | The Astro Lantern lava lamp.

Below: The Astro Lantern was Crestworth's traditional take on the Astro lamp, which fused the aesthetic of a traditional storm lantern with the Astro. The Astro Lantern was offered in a copper anodic finish with two colourways which referenced the nautical theme of the product. Port and Starboard colourways created Red and Green bottle colourway options. Today Astro Lantern can be restored with the modern day Astro bottle. You can open Astro Lantern by undoing the two locator screws on the side of the cap. The cap will simply lift off and giving complete access to replace the bottle or bulb. The fit on the finish of the Astro Lantern makes it one of the best produced lava lamps of all time.

www.britishinvention.com | The History of the Lava Lamp | The Crestworth Era | Old Meets New - The Traction Lamp.

Below: The 'Traction' Lamp captured the romance of the steam age and presented a kinetic light in a lantern enclosure. When switched on the lamp comes alive.

www.britishinvention.com | The History of the Lava Lamp | The Crestworth Era | The Cannon Timer - A Unique Liquid Timer ...

Below: "THE CANNON TIMER - With its elegant Gold Plated finish, here is the ideal ornamental telephone tumer (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 tiresome split-second accuracy!"