Dangerous radioactive game is demonstrated in the museum.

In the exposition of the National Museum of Ulster in Northern Ireland , one of the most dangerous children's games appeared - a set for young physicists at the Gilbert Atomic Energy Lab. The toy, which appeared on sale in 1951 on the wave of interest in atom splitting, contained samples of uranium-238 isotopes, an electroscope, a spintharisk, a Wilson chamber, a Geiger counter, and a physics textbook. Then the pleasure to feel like a young scientist cost expensive - $ 50, which roughly corresponds to today's $ 400.

The toy lab was sold in the United States until 1952 and was manufactured by the AC Gilbert Company. Included with it was the book Prospecting for Uranium, a solid publication issued by the US Geological Survey and the US Atomic Energy Commission (Lt. Gen. Leslie Groves , the military leader of the Manhattan Project) also participated in its writing. In total, with the help of the “young physicist” kit, 150 different experiments could be carried out.


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Interestingly, the fact of radioactivity of uranium-238 isotopes was known to the creators, but its effect on human health, apparently, was either not studied, or it was not given due attention. The instructions for the replacement of radioactive materials (Pb-210, Ru-106, Zn-65) simply indicated that over time they lose their properties and in order to receive new ones, it was required to use the services of the post office:



It is not quite clear why the sale of toys stopped, but if some talented child could discover new sources of uranium, he would have received a reward from the government in the amount of $ 10,000.