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.

54 comments:

  1. Would the radiation create mutant children

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

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  3. hey thanks for visiting my blogs friend!!

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

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  5. 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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  6. Seems like this is an interesting blog!

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

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  8. 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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  9. Lol epic shit, I'll take two.

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  10. I love these vintage ads! Keep them coming!

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  11. this is a good follow up post to the previous one

    I have a new post on GTL Everyday too :)

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  12. Great read! Looking forward to reading your next post.

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  13. HEY IT IS COMPLETLEY SAFE AND HARMLESS THE PAPER SAYS SO

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  14. Radioactive material in front of your melting eyes!

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  15. Kids this days have too much toys

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  16. All kids should learn about atmoic energy. derrr

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

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  18. Thanks for the comments on my blog :)

    I have new bubbles on Enhanced by MS Paint!

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  19. i agree with the fallout 3 comment lol

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  20. lol, measure atomic radiation! Sounds fun

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  21. Mommy why are my teeth glowing?

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  22. Pfft. Radioactive materials are completely healthy for children.

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  23. thanks for the comments on my blog!

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

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  25. 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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  26. it's completly safe, don't worry

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

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

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  29. play with radiation!!..safely of course

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  30. Great post! keep up the great work!

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

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

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

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