most Dangerous Toy ?

[jeff of pa]

Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab (1950-1951)

the wonder of atomic engineering was what earned this Gilbert cloud chamber a reputation as “the world's most dangerous toy.” It was quickly pulled from the market, but the manufacturer continued to assure parents that the tiny bit of radioactive material included with each set was essentially harmless

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

 

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[Red-Coat]

I would have wanted one of those kits!

Lots of examples of other dangerous toys, including into recent times:

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The "CSI: Fingerprint Examination" kit was a good one, with up to 5% asbestos in the readily-inhalable fingerprint powder. Hey kids... it don't smell too bad.

I recall getting my first "Merit" chemistry set, which had a parental reassurance on the box that it contained no chemicals that could be mixed to create an explosion. Now, there was a challenge which my young enquiring mind established to be demonstrably untrue. It would be inappropriate to explain how, but suffice to say that the inclusion of a test tube full of the excellent oxidiser potassium permanganate was ill-considered.

 

[Mackaydon]

Red-Coat,
Yes, it's amazing how a product could be sold that could produce pulmonary edema.
Don.......

 

[worldtalker]

 

[CreakyDigger]

I had a chemistry set mid 1960's that was in a metal case that stood on end and opened from the middle, and when open had shelves full of interesting chemicals. It also had a Bunsen burner with wick, test tubes, stand for burning tube contents over burner, &c. Also had a microscope set with all the fixins. Our basement was akin to Dexter's Laboratory.

 

[Mackaydon]

The well-equipped shoe store in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s would have the popular X-Ray machine known as the Fluoroscope. This now discredited machine caused cancer of the foot and was quickly consigned to the dustbin of technical history.

A substantial amount of radiation was scattered in all directions bathing the entire bodies of the customer as well as the salesman in radiation. A typical viewing lasting about 20 seconds.. Because many of the machines were poorly maintained, some of them delivered potentially hazardous doses. Particularly bad ones were found to deliver three hundred times the permissible limit. Even those seating in the waiting rooms were irradiated with radiation. This was exacerbated by the fact that a customer rarely tried a single pair of shoes, and these customers often kept coming back over and over again.
Don.....(I used it many times which may account for my current baldness.)