The Gilbert Atomic Energy Lab is one of the weirdest toys that this world has ever seen. The controversial toys are also common in the news. There are in fact many of them which raised eyebrows of many across the world. You can easily see the controversial toys having swallow able parts, lead paint, heavy metal spikes etc. The lawn darts are also something which is highly controversial as they are not at all safe for children.
However, no matter how much controversial these things were, there still wasn’t something which can actually throw radiations in your living room. The Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab is a toy launched into the market by the known American toymaker Alfred Gilbert’s company.
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The atomic energy lab was intended to make the children aware of the science behind the nuclear fission at the comforts of their homes. The toy is equipped to make the kids see real nuclear fission at homes. The kit also has many forms of Uranium which is also a key ingredient in nuclear bombs.
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The Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab also includes a miniature cloud chamber which is capable to show the movement of radioactive electrons. The manual of the toy demonstrates that kids can actually show decaying radioactive uranium by setting up cloud chamber for friends and family.
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The manual demonstrates that it is awe-inspiring sight for the kids. It stated, “Electrons racing at fantastic velocities produce delicate, intricate paths of electrical condensation.”
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The doubts on Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab was also enhanced by the presence of Geiger counter in the kit which is capable to measure the level of background radiations. The presence of Geiger counter in the kit speaks that the lab is already having bad radiations. It is poisoning to say the least.
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The manual also demonstrates that Geiger counter in the kit can also be used to play the game of hide and seek. It was suggested that the kids can actually hide some of the radioactive materials and can play the game to find the radioactive materials using the Geiger counter.
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However, there is also counter arguments which support the toy makers. It is said that the Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab is not actually that dangerous as it is sounding. Though no amount of radiation can ever be safe, it was stated that the radioactive materials included in the kit are absolutely safe for use.
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It was also said that the ores released almost the same amount of radiation as that of the UV rays of sun. However, the manual also prohibits kids to never try to release them from their protective jars. It was stated that releasing it may cause them to flake apart and release radiations in the house.
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Apart from all the safety issues, the kit also comes at an insanely high price. The toy was first launched in the year 1950 and it was sold at a price of $50. If we take inflation into account, that is almost $500 today. It would have been insane to buy such an expensive toy which can also damage kids with radiation burns. There was very high chances of kids getting radiation burns for the toy.
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Just like the way people get sunburns when they sit in the sun for long hours, the low-level radiation which is emitted from the kit can actually affect the kid’s skin if they are in contact for longer period of time.
Irrespective of the people’s apprehensions, Gilbert was very confident about its product. They were of the view that the toy will definitely attract the attention of kids and their parents. As a matter of fact, the advertising campaign stated that the kit is actually helpful in motivating the kids to take up career in nuclear energy.
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Though the kit promised to take the kids into a lucrative life of nuclear engineering, the toy did not become hit in the market. The kit was not sold in great numbers. As a matter of fact, Gilbert was able to sell only 5,000 toys in the market.
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It indicates that people were quite apprehensive about giving a toy to their kids which had the potential to harm them. Even in the 1950s, people did not want their kids to play with Uranium.
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Despite the kit’s failure in the market, if you had managed to buy the toy when it was in market, then you are lucky. The toy has become hot favorite among collectors as it had an amazing nostalgic appeal. As there were very limited number of toys that were present in the market, their demands are also high. The kits can now be sold online at a price of up to $2,000.
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