Sunday, October 10, 2010

13 Wildly Irresponsible Vintage Ads Aimed at Kids: #2. Gilbert Atomic Energy Lab

 

Yes, the Gilbert Atomic Energy Lab came with real live radioactive materials. It was supposedly low-level radiation and "completely safe and harmless!" though this is 1950 we're talking about. It's impossible to know if they were using the modern definition of the word "safe" or the Iver Johnson Revolver definition.
This toy was unofficially promoted by the U.S. government, which advertised a cash reward along with the toy to anyone who used the toy's Geiger counter to find uranium. There was presumably an additional reward for the first brave little boy to successfully use his Gilbert Atomic Energy Lab to kill a communist.

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54 comments:

  1. AnonymousOctober 10, 2010 at 1:21 PM

    Would the radiation create mutant children

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  2. nickOctober 10, 2010 at 1:24 PM

    great post

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  3. AnonymousOctober 10, 2010 at 1:37 PM

    wow lol, very interesting- a toy that finds uranium, sounds fun.

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  4. AnonymousOctober 10, 2010 at 1:57 PM

    hey thanks for visiting my blogs friend!!

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  5. UnknownOctober 10, 2010 at 2:06 PM

    I'm pretty sure it doesn't use uranium though...

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  6. AnonymousOctober 10, 2010 at 2:08 PM

    Awesome!

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  7. The Lazy GeographerOctober 10, 2010 at 2:20 PM

    This kit did indeed come with uranium!

    "The set came with four types of uranium ore, a beta-alpha source (Pb-210), a pure beta source (Ru-106), a gamma source (Zn-65?), a spinthariscope, a cloud chamber with its own short-lived alpha source (Po-210), an electroscope, a geiger counter, a manual, a comic book (Dagwood Splits the Atom) and a government manual "Prospecting for Uranium." "
    http://www.orau.org/ptp/collection/atomictoys/GilbertU238Lab.htm <-- link with pics of the kit and additional info.

    Remember, at that same time there were no safety requirements regarding the safe handling of uranium ore. A lot of surface prospectors, and uranium miners would simply pick up uranium ore and put it into their pockets. Later, obviously, they developed testicular cancer and everyone went, "OH, WE SHOULDN'T HAVE DONE THAT!'

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  8. Maxed GameOctober 10, 2010 at 2:29 PM

    Seems like this is an interesting blog!

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  9. AnonymousOctober 10, 2010 at 2:56 PM

    Atomic energy lab eh? ha looking forward to seeing more.

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  10. loveblogginOctober 10, 2010 at 3:07 PM

    very interesting

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  11. SalvagedOctober 10, 2010 at 3:10 PM

    I actually saw this in a anqtique shop i was more than interested in it, but it was encased and what not kinda ironic to see this on here!

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  12. Hip-Hop HikikomoriOctober 10, 2010 at 3:15 PM

    The 50's truly were a glorious time.

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  13. tortacularOctober 10, 2010 at 3:16 PM

    indeed! I would love MORE.

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  14. JamesOctober 10, 2010 at 3:17 PM

    lol wow.

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  15. JDFOctober 10, 2010 at 3:34 PM

    Lol epic shit, I'll take two.

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  16. jrepOctober 10, 2010 at 3:41 PM

    I love these vintage ads! Keep them coming!

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  17. Light Weight Baby!October 10, 2010 at 3:51 PM

    this is a good follow up post to the previous one

    I have a new post on GTL Everyday too :)

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  18. LemmiwinksOctober 10, 2010 at 3:52 PM

    Great read! Looking forward to reading your next post.

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  19. -ITW-October 10, 2010 at 4:37 PM

    HEY IT IS COMPLETLEY SAFE AND HARMLESS THE PAPER SAYS SO

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  20. SC2 StratsOctober 10, 2010 at 4:53 PM

    Accurate and safe!

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  21. Pope SmurfOctober 10, 2010 at 5:17 PM

    Radioactive material in front of your melting eyes!

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  22. Big ZeeOctober 10, 2010 at 5:29 PM

    Kids this days have too much toys

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  23. bestofyoutubeOctober 10, 2010 at 5:33 PM

    I know what I want for christmas!

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  24. catsnstuffOctober 10, 2010 at 5:41 PM

    this seems very fallout 3 -worthy

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  25. VerolsOctober 10, 2010 at 5:49 PM

    give me one of those! :D

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  26. musicnoteOctober 10, 2010 at 5:50 PM

    All kids should learn about atmoic energy. derrr

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  27. SwitcherOctober 10, 2010 at 6:05 PM

    lol i want one

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  28. Toliver EdgeOctober 10, 2010 at 6:30 PM

    LOL WOW, sometimes I wish I could have lived back then.

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  29. Discerning GentlemanOctober 10, 2010 at 6:30 PM

    Thanks for the comments on my blog :)

    I have new bubbles on Enhanced by MS Paint!

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  30. Music WhizOctober 10, 2010 at 6:40 PM

    i agree with the fallout 3 comment lol

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  31. hungrrOctober 10, 2010 at 6:53 PM

    lol, measure atomic radiation! Sounds fun

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  32. OneLessSaneOctober 10, 2010 at 6:54 PM

    Dude, now I kinda want one!

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  33. WillowOctober 10, 2010 at 7:56 PM

    Mommy why are my teeth glowing?

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  34. LongkidOctober 10, 2010 at 8:45 PM

    llol looks safe! xD

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  35. AnonymousOctober 10, 2010 at 9:17 PM

    Pfft. Radioactive materials are completely healthy for children.

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  36. Jimmy VolmerOctober 10, 2010 at 9:38 PM

    thanks for the comments on my blog!

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  37. Dr. PhunOctober 11, 2010 at 2:38 AM

    Pff that's completely save, don't worry about it :P

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  38. ElChristoOctober 11, 2010 at 4:45 AM

    Haha, looks like an awesome toy.
    But didnt they used to sell radioactive toothpaste and shit? because it made their teeth glow?

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  39. SykefuOctober 11, 2010 at 5:07 AM

    it's completly safe, don't worry

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  40. OdilOctober 11, 2010 at 5:11 AM

    Wonder if any of the kids (then) who bought it later got cancer.

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  41. FutomaraOctober 11, 2010 at 5:42 AM

    I suspect it was a ploy to boost sales of Geiger counters.

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  42. loveblogginOctober 11, 2010 at 7:22 AM

    lol thats pretty awesome

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  43. ilikeicecreamOctober 11, 2010 at 7:32 AM

    LMAO isnt the 1950's awesome

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  44. carlesOctober 11, 2010 at 8:23 AM

    cool

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  45. nickOctober 11, 2010 at 8:24 AM

    play with radiation!!..safely of course

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  46. Barry WhiteOctober 11, 2010 at 9:35 AM

    Great post! keep up the great work!

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  47. Mistah GoodmanOctober 11, 2010 at 12:11 PM

    Now.. why couldn't I find that in Fallout 3?

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  48. ZohrlaffOctober 11, 2010 at 1:16 PM

    I want one!

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  49. AdrienOctober 11, 2010 at 1:31 PM

    Such a simple time. Unlike now when we can't play with anything because we could swallow it or it could be poisonous or it might make us dirty. Bleh.

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  50. Come At Me BroOctober 11, 2010 at 1:40 PM

    This is great!

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  51. AnonymousOctober 11, 2010 at 2:38 PM

    I wonder what the reward was for killing a communist... probably a merit badge or something.

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  52. AnonymousOctober 11, 2010 at 2:53 PM

    wow

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  53. Lewis ChanOctober 11, 2010 at 4:33 PM

    i want one!

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  54. tamorris89October 11, 2010 at 6:24 PM

    That's not a good thing to be handing to your children!

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