Was Atomic Energy Kit the Most Dangerous Toy Ever Made?
Share
In 1945 as the first nuclear weapons test took place within the vast deserts of the state of New Mexico, America, bringing about a period known as the Atomic Age; an American inventor and magician called Alfred Carlton Gilbert saw the Atomic Age as an opportunity for entrepreneurship and designed a nuclear toy for children.
An original Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Laboratory kit. The upper left section contains four jars of radioactive samples. (Webms / Wikimedia Commons)
The Atomic Energy Lab Kit or Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab was the name of the gadget released in 1950. The toy came in an enticing red box similar to the mythic board-game Jumanji but yet held actual, physical danger because the incredible fact about the Atomic Energy Lab Kit is it had actual sources of radiation including Uranium Ores inside. In this period the dangers of radiation were not yet studied, but can you believe a children’s toy held radiation? The toy was pricey at around $50, which in today’s money is over $520.
A. C. Gilbert had previous success with a metal toy construction set called ‘Erector’ which was like Lego but more like Meccano.
Advertisement for Erector Set, circa 1922. (Popular Science Magazine)
The Erector set. (Cullen328/Wikimedia Commons)
Read more: The 19th Century Mechanical Toy—The Creeping Baby Doll
Inside the box of Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab
An instruction manual, a comic book titled ‘How Dagwood Splits the Atom and a booklet Prospecting for Uranium’ outlined instructions on how to find Uranium. A Geiger counter made it possible to observe Uranium by using a gas-filled tube of inert gas to show particle collisions. A Wilson cloud chamber allowed the gamer to see vapour trails escape from particles.
An assembled Gilbert cloud chamber. (Science History Institute)
A spinthariscope was also included to show scintillation owning to alpha decay. An electroscope was another instrument to measure ionization radiation of the radioactive sources. This was found in alpha, beta or gamma sources, or Uranium ones. Ultimately, owners could source natural Uranium with the kit, for which the US government offered rewards.
The end of the Atomic Age
The toy did not sell well, but this was not due to the dangers of radiation, which were not discovered until later. Only 5,000 units of the toy were made before they discontinued it cited as being too expensive to produce. By the 1970s nuclear power had diminished after notable disasters such as the infamous Chernobyl accident in 1986. Such a toy would not be permitted today in most countries, as while the low radiation emitted would unlikely prove threatening, using it every day could cause problems.
For more unusual stories & intriguing news follow STSTW Media on Instagram and Facebook. Also, join our live chat discussion on Twitter.
Do you have a story/photo for us?
We welcome your contribution at [email protected] Please include your name, city, state, and country.
Fact Analysis:
STSTW Media strives to deliver accurate information through careful research. However, things can go wrong. If you find the above article inaccurate or biased, please let us know at [email protected]
RELATED
May 30, 2020 The 19th Century Mechanical Toy—The Creeping Baby Doll
May 13, 2019 Radar Technology’s Early Detection System Revolutionised the World and Made it a Better Place to Live in
August 29, 2019 The Manhattan Project: The Making of the First Atomic Bomb
December 16, 2018 Starfish Prime Nuclear Test – How the United States Detonated Nuclear Weapons at High Altitudes
