It made me wonder, has anyone got an original 1960’s Mathmos lava lamp…and if so, does it still work?
Assuming the bulb would have been replaced in this time…but is the wax still intact and functional without going cloudy?
If so…it’s shows us how much built in obsolescence has crept in during the last 60 odd years.
@JugglingWithEggs the original lava lamps used carbon tetrachloride as an additive in the wax, pretty toxic and not ideal, especially if the lamp breaks. But that might have been a much more durable formulation.
I suspected there might be something unpleasant lurking in the 60’s models. Mine is late 90’s…hopefully safer?
@JugglingWithEggs they now supposedly say trade secret... As a chemist I would love to take them apart and analyze them over the years and also all the Chinese models
That’s not as reassuring as I’d hoped…I’ll try and keep it safe…but I do love using it, especially now I can sit and listen to my old CD collection again with it on in the background.
Oct 24, 2026, 11:25 PM@JugglingWithEggs @carstenfranke
it seem carbon tetrachloride was stopped way back in 1970s.
most likely other halocarbons or similar solvents, which aren't as toxic to humans but many were themselves restricted by EU/EEA/UK over the years as they could damage the ozone layer..
That’s kind of good to know…mine is definitely EU and not Chinese.
I shall definitely not be looking to find a genuine vintage one…nor will I be getting a Chinese knock off.
Oct 24, 2026, 11:37 PM@JugglingWithEggs @carstenfranke I don't even think the Chinese will be willingly putting carbon tetrachloride into their lamps these days (its genuinely nasty stuff) and even newer halocarbons are restricted in EU+UK because of the ozone layer risk (which is understandable, but also annoying if you want useful degreasers that aren't also flammable)
@JugglingWithEggs I think the bottles are sealed pretty tightly, so I would not be so concerned for normal use. More concerns when they break by accident or are disposed of in normal trash.
@JugglingWithEggs so by all means, enjoy your lamp!
@JugglingWithEggs I read a bit about it a few months ago because my SO needed one for one of her science classes. All we could find in town were the Chinese ones. As a side note on longevity... it came with an already broken bulb.
That’s crap about the bulb…I honestly don’t know how mine is still going and it’s had 9 house moves!
@JugglingWithEggs @carstenfranke
Replacing the bulb is difficult. I found one that was the right size AND incandescent, but it wasn't hot enough to melt the "lava". (Which I am pretty sure is just colored wax.)
@JugglingWithEggs Tangential at best, but I’m tickled to learn that the first commercial lava lamp company is named for a thing in Barbarella.