1950s Toy That Included Actual Uranium Ore Goes On Display At Museum

hypnosec writes: The Gilbert Atomic Energy Lab — dubbed the world's most dangerous toy — has gone on display at the Ulster Museum in Northern Ireland. The toy earned the title because it includes four types of uranium ore, three sources of radiation, and a Geiger counter that enables parents to measure just how contaminated their child have become. The Gilbert Atomic Energy Lab was only available between 1951 and 1952 and was the most elaborate atomic energy educational kit ever produced. The toy was one of the most costly toys of the time, retailing at $50 — equivalent to around $400 today.

Comments

Stunned

[tiberus]

So, I missed this having been born in the late 60s but, at least I was able to have my unsuspecting parents purchase proper chemistry and electronics kits for me. I could stick us out of the house or create and electric fence to keep the cat of my room at night. When I tried to give my son the same opportunity, the offerings that were readily available were either so limited or so expensive as to be useless or prohibitive and useless. Then over the last several years, I've heard tell of kinds taking chemistry lab in high school with very little lab and almost no chems. Just how many rads we talking here?

Re:Perhaps it wouldn’t pass today’s ..

[ColdWetDog]

Dozens of places in Colorado have the same kind of rock. Gold Hill or Jamestown, both just west of Boulder have hot spots from gold / tungsten / uranium mines that will kick a Geiger counter on moderate sensitivity. Still not very dangerous unless you fall head first on the rock, but fun to show the tourists.