Tuesday, September 27, 2011

SUPER-RAD RECALLED TOYS (an ongoing series)


The toy at the top of my list has to be the Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab. It sold for a whopping 50 bucks from 1950-1951. So why would those Government Fun-killers put an end to this toy? Honestly, I have no clue. The set came with an electroscope, a geiger counter, a manual, a comic book (Dagwood Splits the Atom), and a government manual – that’s it. ). I mean what’s so bad about that?
Ok, maybe if I had to venture a guess, it might be ‘cause the kit also contained 4 types of low level 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.

FYI…one set sold recently on ebay for 5 grand

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28 comments:

  1. 50 bucks in '50-'51, was quite costly!

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  2. That's it, i will buy it and either end up like the incredible hulk or in the hospital with an uranium intoxication. If you don't see me around for a while, you know what happened.

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  3. This is the type of toy people should've given me when I was a kid.

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  4. Holy crap! I would so get one, if it didn't cost a limb.

    Also thanks for making me Blog of the Day! Cheers.

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  5. I need one. I need one now. I need one, a humpback elf, a laboratory, two buttons, and a pigeon.

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  6. Its like a make your own nuclear bomb toy! awesome!

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  7. Five grand!??! Holy Crapiola!! Fuckin' Jackpot of NOTE

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  8. $5,000!!!!, somebody made a killing, possibly the government.

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  9. If I only had 5 grand.... no wait, I still wouldn't buy it

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  10. It contained actual nuclear material? Yeah that would be a good reason to recall it.

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  11. I will finish your sentence for you. One recenently sold on ebay for 5 grand to the Iranian Government.

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  12. That's not exactly politically correct these days.

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  13. If they sold things like these nowadays everyone would radiate a glow of happiness

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  14. Holy crap that is awesome, and I thought I had a cool science set growing up.

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  15. Does it also come with a toupee to wear when your hair starts falling out? If that is in the mix, I'm good for the 5 grand.

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  16. Were they afraid kids would blow things up? Well, maybe they would...

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  17. The government is such a killjoy!!! And wowza...that was a lot of money!

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  18. I had an awesome chemistry set in the early 70s. Unfortunately, dad confiscated the alcohol lamp immediately. I also had a dissecting kit; Mum confiscated the dissecting needle/probe, hid it, stuck her finger with it later on, had to get a tetanus shot. No more kits. :-((

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  19. I know what I want for Christmas....

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  20. Sweet toy! I like this blog; following!

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  21. The teddy bear has always been a popular member of our society, enjoying life long friendships in many homes. More recently his popularity has increased dramatically thanks to the world wide web which has helped to make him an everyday friend, arriving on the doorstep of young and old throughout the country with a special message for them. bear names

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