Nuclear Detergent

Willard Libby is best known as the winner of the 1960 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, awarded for his role in developing radiocarbon dating. But throughout the 1950s and 60s he was also a tireless promoter of nuclear energy, assuring the public that fears about radioactivity and nuclear fallout were greatly overblown. One of his ideas for a beneficial use of radiation was to radiate laundry detergent. As far as I know, no detergent maker ever got behind this idea.

Source: Newsweek - Jan 13, 1964

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Alex Boese Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes. Paul Di Filippo Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over forty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. Contact Us

Posted By: Alex - Fri Nov 14, 2014
Category: Science | Atomic Power and Other Nuclear Matters | 1960s

Comments

Not only will you get whiter whites, but now they even glow in the dark!

Posted by TheCannyScot in Atlanta, GA on 11/14/14 at 09:07 AM

You're right Scotty! There's no down side!

Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 11/14/14 at 10:00 AM

If you go to Gamma rays in Wiki, it is used in the production of detergent. Scroll down to 'uses'. Since Gamma rays are used to safely kill bacteria in food, there is no risk.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamma_ray

Posted by BMN on 11/14/14 at 03:18 PM

"You ever hear of the neutron bomb? Destroys people - leaves buildings standing. Fits in a suitcase. It's so small, no one knows it's there until - BLAMMO. Eyes melt, skin explodes, everybody dead. So immoral, working on the thing can drive you mad."

Posted by KDP on 11/14/14 at 04:38 PM

I don't think the neutron bomb can be made smaller than a regular nuclear bomb: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_bomb

And, if you are going to kill all the people anyway, what's wrong with doing it in a more efficient and less messy manner? And you don't need to waste resources rebuilding the infrastructure, so it is environmentally friendly - a tree-hugger's dream.

Posted by RobK on 11/17/14 at 12:05 PM

Sorry, didn't see the quotes.

Posted by RobK on 11/17/14 at 12:07 PM

How can you say its harmless?? Gamma rays are what turned Dr. Bruce Banner into the Incredible Hulk! 😉

Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 11/17/14 at 01:28 PM

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