DSC Music Production

Why are lava lamps considered recording studio must-haves? There are a few popular stories about how these kitschy 70s decorations became part of the studio starter kit. Some say engineers once used the lamp like a timer: The time it took for the oozey lava to start bubbling coincided with how long audio tubes should warm up before use. Although a cool concept, that story is probably apocryphal. I have also heard that Gary Kellgren of The Record Plant thought the fluid movement subdued the nerves of anxious artists.
What do you think? Is it just about the vibes, or is there some deeper reason producers and artists work by lava light?