Donald Dunnet - Original Lava Lamp Inventor - Prototypes, Construction details & History. - Oozing Goo - The Lava Lamp Syndicate2024-03-28T16:00:59Zhttps://oozinggoo.ning.com/forum/topics/donald-dunnet-original-lava-lamp-inventor-prototypes-construction?commentId=1566398%3AComment%3A598398&feed=yes&xn_auth=noSorry for taking a while to r…tag:oozinggoo.ning.com,2016-03-31:1566398:Comment:6148842016-03-31T21:16:40.477ZCharlie Leveretthttps://oozinggoo.ning.com/profile/CharlieLeverett
<p>Sorry for taking a while to respond, have been pretty busy over the past couple months. I had come across the image of that prototype on their website a little while ago but there is so little information with it that it's hard be sure of its exact origins. There is definitely a strong visual similarity between that and the prototypes in my photograph, as mentioned before Craven was said to have had some form of contact with Donald's widow, so it is quite possible that any of Donald's…</p>
<p>Sorry for taking a while to respond, have been pretty busy over the past couple months. I had come across the image of that prototype on their website a little while ago but there is so little information with it that it's hard be sure of its exact origins. There is definitely a strong visual similarity between that and the prototypes in my photograph, as mentioned before Craven was said to have had some form of contact with Donald's widow, so it is quite possible that any of Donald's remaining lamps could have been bought when he purchased the patents. If this was indeed a Dunnet made lamp then I would not be surprised if this is why there is vague/no further information accompanying the image, as this would conflict with the idea of Craven being the sole inventor.</p> Truly amazing stuff, which tu…tag:oozinggoo.ning.com,2015-12-03:1566398:Comment:6040682015-12-03T17:10:33.406ZJonas Clark-Elliotthttps://oozinggoo.ning.com/profile/JonasClarkElliott
<p>Truly amazing stuff, which turned the history as I knew it on its ear. That photo of several lamps being tested is absolutely unbelievable! The photo Keith posted-- is that actually an original Donald Dunnet lamp, empty and sans cap?</p>
<p>Truly amazing stuff, which turned the history as I knew it on its ear. That photo of several lamps being tested is absolutely unbelievable! The photo Keith posted-- is that actually an original Donald Dunnet lamp, empty and sans cap?</p> I really enjoyed reading abou…tag:oozinggoo.ning.com,2015-10-17:1566398:Comment:5980842015-10-17T18:29:14.475ZKirkhttps://oozinggoo.ning.com/profile/KirkOlson
<p>I really enjoyed reading about your great grandfather, Charlie. His early contributions made it possible for us to enjoy all of today's modern motion lamps. You should be proud.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for posting and sharing your personal family history with all of us! </p>
<p>I really enjoyed reading about your great grandfather, Charlie. His early contributions made it possible for us to enjoy all of today's modern motion lamps. You should be proud.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for posting and sharing your personal family history with all of us! </p> This one?
Jonas Clark-Ellio…tag:oozinggoo.ning.com,2015-10-16:1566398:Comment:5983982015-10-16T23:55:44.182ZKeithhttps://oozinggoo.ning.com/profile/Keith
<p>This one?</p>
<p><img alt="random internet Lava lamp 1 - an early prototype" height="536" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3099948684?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="437"></img> <br></br> <br></br> <cite>Jonas Clark-Elliott said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://oozinggoo.ning.com/forum/topics/donald-dunnet-original-lava-lamp-inventor-prototypes-construction?commentId=1566398%3AComment%3A598071&xg_source=activity#1566398Comment598071"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Mathmos has a unit they refer to as the first prototype lamp. It looks like the "lantern" models in the testing photo: a rough metal base, + shaped straps up the sides,…</p>
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<p>This one?</p>
<p><img width="437" height="536" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3099948684?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" alt="random internet Lava lamp 1 - an early prototype"/><br/> <br/> <cite>Jonas Clark-Elliott said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://oozinggoo.ning.com/forum/topics/donald-dunnet-original-lava-lamp-inventor-prototypes-construction?commentId=1566398%3AComment%3A598071&xg_source=activity#1566398Comment598071"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Mathmos has a unit they refer to as the first prototype lamp. It looks like the "lantern" models in the testing photo: a rough metal base, + shaped straps up the sides, and an (empty) glass cocktail shaker bottle. Is this possibly the last remaining Dunnet creation?</p>
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</blockquote> Mathmos has a unit they refer…tag:oozinggoo.ning.com,2015-10-16:1566398:Comment:5980712015-10-16T17:33:43.374ZJonas Clark-Elliotthttps://oozinggoo.ning.com/profile/JonasClarkElliott
<p>Mathmos has a unit they refer to as the first prototype lamp. It looks like the "lantern" models in the testing photo: a rough metal base, + shaped straps up the sides, and an (empty) glass cocktail shaker bottle. Is this possibly the last remaining Dunnet creation?</p>
<p>Mathmos has a unit they refer to as the first prototype lamp. It looks like the "lantern" models in the testing photo: a rough metal base, + shaped straps up the sides, and an (empty) glass cocktail shaker bottle. Is this possibly the last remaining Dunnet creation?</p> Wow! That is so interesting!…tag:oozinggoo.ning.com,2015-09-29:1566398:Comment:5966092015-09-29T12:14:27.113Ztecopohttps://oozinggoo.ning.com/profile/tecopooley
<p>Wow! That is so interesting! Thank you for sharing</p>
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<p>Wow! That is so interesting! Thank you for sharing</p>
<p></p> stevemo said:
Charlie, than…tag:oozinggoo.ning.com,2015-09-23:1566398:Comment:5959552015-09-23T20:15:24.559ZCharlie Leveretthttps://oozinggoo.ning.com/profile/CharlieLeverett
<p><br></br> <br></br> <cite>stevemo said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://oozinggoo.ning.com/forum/topics/donald-dunnet-original-lava-lamp-inventor-prototypes-construction?xg_source=activity&id=1566398%3ATopic%3A595779&page=2#1566398Comment595952"><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Charlie, thank you so much for posting this, lovely to see some more early history. I've previously posted a link to the Donald Dunnet patent when the name has come up. A quick search on FreeBMD shows the death…</p>
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<p><br/> <br/> <cite>stevemo said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://oozinggoo.ning.com/forum/topics/donald-dunnet-original-lava-lamp-inventor-prototypes-construction?xg_source=activity&id=1566398%3ATopic%3A595779&page=2#1566398Comment595952"><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Charlie, thank you so much for posting this, lovely to see some more early history. I've previously posted a link to the Donald Dunnet patent when the name has come up. A quick search on FreeBMD shows the death of a Donald Dunnet in Worthing aged 67, recorded in December 1960, (so could have been the quarter October to December 1960) <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?r=221696571:7610&d=bmd_1441408475" target="_blank">http://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?r=221696571:7610&d...</a>, probably him?. Also the birth of a Felicity Dunnet in 1935 <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?r=221696571:7610&d=bmd_1441408475" target="_blank">http://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?r=221696571:7610&d...</a>. As for sending anythig to Mathmos, they have a Facebook page, so if you are on Facebook, why not post a little bit of information on there, and see what response you get!.</p>
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<p><strong>Thanks for looking into that, much appreciated. Just spoken to my Aunt again and she is certain that he passed away in the second half of 1960 and lived in Worthing at the time which ties up with what you found. As for Mathmos we are definitely considering contacting them but are concerned by how they might feel about this seeing as Craven Walker is heavily promoted on their site as the 'original inventor' of the lava lamp, and I guess they might see it as kind of undermining to the story they have promoted. We're not out to cause any trouble or stir things up, just gain a bit of overdue recognition for Donald. I have read, although cannot 100% confirm as no one I have spoken to in the family seems to know, that Donald's Widow sold the patents and/or information on the lamps to Craven for a small amount along the lines of £50. So we are quite confident that what Craven did was all legitimate and fair. All credit to Craven for what he achieved with promoting the lamps and turning it into a success story, but he was perhaps not quite the 'inventive' character to the level he is said to be. Maybe more of a clever business man than a inventor as such (Just my opinion). It is just a shame Donald passed when he did and wasn't able to progress with it, as if so the situation today could have been quite different. Donald's other two daughters may still be alive but we have not had contact with them in a long time. One had moved to New Zealand and the other was living in Cornwall, so who knows, they may have more information and photographs that we have never seen. </strong></p>
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</blockquote> Charlie, thank you so much fo…tag:oozinggoo.ning.com,2015-09-23:1566398:Comment:5959522015-09-23T17:31:41.592Zstevemohttps://oozinggoo.ning.com/profile/stevemo
<p>Charlie, thank you so much for posting this, lovely to see some more early history. I've previously posted a link to the Donald Dunnet patent when the name has come up. A quick search on FreeBMD shows the death of a Donald Dunnet in Worthing aged 67, recorded in December 1960, (so could have been the quarter October to December 1960)…</p>
<p>Charlie, thank you so much for posting this, lovely to see some more early history. I've previously posted a link to the Donald Dunnet patent when the name has come up. A quick search on FreeBMD shows the death of a Donald Dunnet in Worthing aged 67, recorded in December 1960, (so could have been the quarter October to December 1960) <a href="http://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?r=221696571:7610&d=bmd_1441408475" target="_blank">http://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?r=221696571:7610&d=bmd_1441408475</a>, probably him?. Also the birth of a Felicity Dunnet in 1935 <a href="http://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?r=221696571:7610&d=bmd_1441408475" target="_blank">http://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?r=221696571:7610&d=bmd_1441408475</a>. As for sending anythig to Mathmos, they have a Facebook page, so if you are on Facebook, why not post a little bit of information on there, and see what response you get!.</p> thank you for sharing this in…tag:oozinggoo.ning.com,2015-09-23:1566398:Comment:5957922015-09-23T17:22:13.654ZBradhttps://oozinggoo.ning.com/profile/brad
<p>thank you for sharing this information! very cool to have the early history of the lava lamp laid out clearly on this site for all to see.</p>
<p>thank you for sharing this information! very cool to have the early history of the lava lamp laid out clearly on this site for all to see.</p> You're welcome. :) It's alway…tag:oozinggoo.ning.com,2015-09-23:1566398:Comment:5958562015-09-23T16:17:40.674ZErinhttps://oozinggoo.ning.com/profile/erin9
<p>You're welcome. :) It's always great to find out new info, esp when you think you've heard it all. I love that you've shared this with us! </p>
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<p>I don't know if Mathmos would want to know or not; that's a good question. Our company here in the US (Lava Lite) doesn't even seem too interested in their own history (or getting it right), so I don't know they'd care either. That's why we have this community - for the hardcore geeks like us who DO care! :)<br></br> <br></br> <cite>Charlie…</cite></p>
<p>You're welcome. :) It's always great to find out new info, esp when you think you've heard it all. I love that you've shared this with us! </p>
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<p>I don't know if Mathmos would want to know or not; that's a good question. Our company here in the US (Lava Lite) doesn't even seem too interested in their own history (or getting it right), so I don't know they'd care either. That's why we have this community - for the hardcore geeks like us who DO care! :)<br/> <br/> <cite>Charlie Leverett said:</cite></p>
<div><br/> <cite>Erin said:</cite><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Charlie, please disregard Reece's comment. Reece, please refrain from making comments like this - we have no reason to doubt this story. </p>
<p>I will get this added to the Lava Library at some point Keith! <br/> <br/> <cite>Charlie Leverett said:</cite></p>
<div>Who else has said something different? Just because I have only recently joined I don't see how this is suspicious? Not sure what else I can provide to convince you.</div>
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Also thanks for promoting this post on the site. We just hope as many people as possible who are interested get to read this</div>