# Lava Lamps **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [August 18, 2005, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lava-lamps/317669 "2005-08-18T22:45:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Plynck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Plynck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plynck)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2005, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lava-lamps/317669/1 "2005-08-18T22:45:59Z")
[In his column,](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_359.html), Cecil writes: _“As Cecil’s more venerable readers know, the lava lamp was one of the three indispensable components of the properly furnished 60s apartment, the other two being a black-light poster and a waterbed.”_ Ahem. Bean bag chairs? Beaded curtains? I can only imagine that the life of the sage was not always so well paid, and The Master’s furnishing budget was somewhat limited… I don’t know how Cecil can wax so nostalgic over lava lamps, and speak so disparagingly of [The Prisoner](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_022c.html). I can’t look at a lava lamp without thinking of that old series. plynck ---
**Author:** ![Jake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2005, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lava-lamps/317669/2 "2005-08-19T22:11:07Z")
Unca Cese can only go into detail as much as space permits. ---
**Author:** ![Nic2004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/4491bb/32.png) [@Nic2004](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nic2004)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2005, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lava-lamps/317669/3 "2005-08-19T22:16:53Z")
And what of the long chains of beer tabs hooked together and draped over the corners of the cinderblock-and-board entertainment center? The large cable spool for a coffee table? ---
**Author:** ![Backwater\_Under\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ba8739/32.png) [@Backwater\_Under\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Backwater_Under_Duck)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2005, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lava-lamps/317669/4 "2005-08-19T22:50:15Z")
And a bookcase made of cinder blocks. ---
**Author:** ![dogbutler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dogbutler/32/428_2.png) [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lava-lamps/317669/5 "2005-08-20T01:29:57Z")
What about a [beeramid](http://telcontar.net/Cans/beeramid.php)? ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lava-lamps/317669/6 "2005-08-20T04:30:21Z")
> [@Backwater Under\_Duck](#): > > And a bookcase made of cinder blocks. Luxury! Ours were made of milk crates; indeed one of my friends had an entire flat furnished with them - bed, wardrobe, chairs, tables, the lot. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lava-lamps/317669/7 "2005-08-20T05:02:48Z")
Ummmmm… I sleep on a waterbed. I have several blacklights, including a 4’ fixture that is on 24-7 (and has been for more than 20 years now). I still have one bookshelf that is cinder blocks and 1x12 planks. I have a glow-in-the-dark beaded curtain in my closet doorway. If this is a problem for someof y’all, come on over. We can have a smoke and talk about it… man. ;j ---
**Author:** ![mikey1969](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9c0ed/32.png) [@mikey1969](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikey1969)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lava-lamps/317669/8 "2005-08-20T13:00:24Z")
Why did the question of Lava Lamps have to be SO CONFUSNG? It’s pretty simple… You have a substance that is always liquid(Always, according to OUR scientists, of course…) and you throw a substance that is liquid(and lighter) for a VERY short period of time. Al yu have to do is HEAT this substance… To make sure that heat is retained in the bottom of the ‘Lava tube’, how many people REALLY pay attention to the coil at the bottom? ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lava-lamps/317669/9 "2005-08-20T15:29:38Z")
> [@Snowboarder Bo](#): > > Ummmmm… > > I sleep on a waterbed. > I have several blacklights, including a 4’ fixture that is on 24-7 (and has been for more than 20 years now). > I still have one bookshelf that is cinder blocks and 1x12 planks. > I have a glow-in-the-dark beaded curtain in my closet doorway. > > If this is a problem for someof y’all, come on over. We can have a smoke and talk about it… man. ;j I was always big on black lights. Thought that they were so cool. But I have read that they contribute to cataracts, and since my Mom had them, Grandma had them, Dad had them and a few other relatives, I figure I had better be cautious. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lava-lamps/317669/10 "2005-08-20T18:08:50Z")
> [@Khadaji](#): > > I was always big on black lights. Thought that they were so cool. But I have read that they contribute to cataracts, and since my Mom had them, Grandma had them, Dad had them and a few other relatives, I figure I had better be cautious. Hmmm, I never heard that before. I’ll keep it in mind, tho. If it’s something you read recently can you help me with a link? I enjoy my sight tremendously, as without it I could not read or enjoy pretty women as much. I forgot to mention above that I also own strobes, a mirror ball that hangs in my bedroom (chicks dig it), and (YES!) a lava lamp. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lava-lamps/317669/11 "2005-08-20T18:10:52Z")
nm, i found some info myself. Thanks tho. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lava-lamps/317669/12 "2005-08-20T23:14:58Z")
Wouldn’t it be cool if lava lamps were filled with real magma? ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lava-lamps/317669/13 "2005-08-20T23:19:16Z")
> [@Snowboarder Bo](#): > > Ummmmm… > > I sleep on a waterbed. > I have several blacklights, including a 4’ fixture that is on 24-7 (and has been for more than 20 years now). > I still have one bookshelf that is cinder blocks and 1x12 planks. > I have a glow-in-the-dark beaded curtain in my closet doorway. > > If this is a problem for someof y’all, come on over. We can have a smoke and talk about it… man. ;j The waterbed was usually bought with your tax refund after you got your first serious paying job. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lava-lamps/317669/14 "2005-08-20T23:55:43Z")
nah, mine was bought for me by one of my girlfriends I’m not really into that whole “job” thing, ya know what I’m sayin’? ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2005, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lava-lamps/317669/15 "2005-08-21T13:49:35Z")
> [@NoClueBoy](#): > > Wouldn’t it be cool if lava lamps were filled with real magma? Ummm…wouldn’t that just mean that there was a lump of brown rock at the bottom of the lamp? ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2005, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lava-lamps/317669/16 "2005-08-21T14:01:26Z")
> [@Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor](#): > > Ummm…wouldn’t that just mean that there was a lump of brown rock at the bottom of the lamp? Though the word may have several meanings depending on the context, the context of this thread makes it pretty clear what [definition](http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=magma)\* I was referencing. BTW, none of the definitions fit your post. 😛 \*think about it: lava, molten rock, magma… ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2005, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lava-lamps/317669/17 "2005-08-21T22:37:40Z")
> [@NoClueBoy](#): > > Though the word may have several meanings depending on the context, the context of this thread makes it pretty clear what [definition](http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=magma)\* I was referencing. BTW, none of the definitions fit your post. 😛 > > \*think about it: lava, molten rock, magma… But the fluid in a Lava Lamp is water. And _heated_ lava/magma would boil it to steam. Or cool the lava, to a brown lump of rock. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2005, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lava-lamps/317669/18 "2005-08-21T23:12:50Z")
> [@Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor](#): > > But the fluid in a Lava Lamp is water. And _heated_ lava/magma would boil it to steam. Or cool the lava, to a brown lump of rock. You’re forgetting the force field and the phased pulse emitters! That keeps the molten rock safely enclosed _and_ melted, monkey boy Sheesh, it’s like I gotta spell everything out for you humans. Oh, how I long for my old home in fluidic space. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2005, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lava-lamps/317669/19 "2005-08-22T14:59:22Z")
Snowboarder Bo writes: \> I still have one bookshelf that is cinder blocks and 1x12 planks. I have (pause to mentally picture my apartment and count them, since I’m presently away on vacation) 12 bookshelves that are constructed with cinder blocks and planks. ---
**Author:** ![Rocket](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@Rocket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocket)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lava-lamps/317669/20 "2005-08-24T17:39:16Z")
Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor/NoClueBoy Just for clarity; Magma is molten rock beneath the planet surface Lava is molten rock above the planet surface Cooling of magma/lava results in the formation of primarily granite, basalt, or any of a number of variations (gabbro, rhyolite, scoria, pumice, obsidian, diorite), not a “lump of brown rock”. So a lava lamp couldn’t be filled with magma unless it was in your basement. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lava-lamps/317669.md?page=2)