The Atomiscope

Did this actually have radium inside it? How many cancers did this cause, carried about in Dennis the Menace's pockets?

Unfortunately, I've lost the source of this ad. Can anyone help?

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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: Paul - Wed Nov 05, 2014
Category: Death | Toys | Atomic Power and Other Nuclear Matters | 1940s

Comments

Sure it was real!?! Why would you think anything untoward would happen? I mean, it's natural, isn't it?

Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 11/05/14 at 08:58 AM

It sounds like a spinthariscope. The radiation source was probably radium on the point of a pin. Remember watches with radium dials? You could probably make a couple thousand spinthariscopes with the amount of radium in one of those watches because you want as small a point source as possible.

You can still buy them! Sadly, they're now $35.

Read one person's account:
http://skullsinthestars.com/2011/04/25/the-spinthariscope-see-atoms-decay-before-your-eyes/

Posted by Phideaux on 11/05/14 at 10:23 AM

Phideaux--excellent link! Thanks!

Posted by Paul on 11/05/14 at 11:29 AM

"Ra-di-a-tion. Yes, indeed. You hear the most outrageous lies about it. Half-baked goggle-box do-gooders telling everybody it's bad for you. Pernicious nonsense."

Posted by KDP on 11/05/14 at 12:49 PM

I had one! And I hardly glow in the dark nowadays.

Posted by Cecil Rose on 11/05/14 at 06:07 PM

I don't want to hijack a thread but if you are religious please pray for my wife. Her and the kids were in a terrible auto accident. They had to cut her out of the car. Our kids were banged and bruised but released. My wife is still in ICU and awaiting surgery. Thanks WUvians. BD

Posted by BrokeDad in Midwest US on 11/06/14 at 02:54 AM

Good Luck, BD. I've been in the same situation with a family member and know the anxiety and worries.

Posted by KDP on 11/06/14 at 09:56 AM

My heart goes out to you. I love my wife so much I'd be devastated if I lost her. I did pray long and hard for your wife. The Lord will take care of your family so don't lose faith.

Posted by Joe on 11/06/14 at 04:44 PM

I hope your wife is OK, BrokeDad. Frightening indeed.

Posted by Dave Plechaty on 11/15/14 at 02:22 AM

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