Edward Craven Walker

Born Jul 4, 1918 · Singapore

Edward Craven-Walker was an industrialist who had served as a squadron leader during World War II. In 1960, he invented the "Astro Lamp" (known in the United States as a "Lava Lamp" or "Lava Lite"). Over seven million have been sold throughout the world, and Walker manufactured them from his factory in Bournemouth, in the south of England. At the time of his death his company was still manufacturing over ten thousand lamps per month. A life-long sun-lover, Walker wanted to promote the naturist movement, so, using the name Michael Keatering, he produced and directed three films. After the demand for nudist films ended, he never picked up the movie camera again, and returned to his day job.