Peanut (post: 1202071) wrote:Now that I think about it...I have to agree with you, Technomancer and Pascal about the low levels of radiation however I still think this is the worst toy ever on other grounds. Mostly the fact that it was only sold for one year in the 50s...during the cold war...which makes me wonder if this toy was more about creating more nuclear physicists/engineers/people who'd make weapons for the government then fun and education
You have to think about the times. There really was a widespread fascination regarding nuclear power and a great deal of optimism about its use.
...I also don't know of any parent who'd give their kid anything with any radiation levels whatsoever...that just doesn't sound too safe.
When I was a kid under the watchful eyes of my parents I acquired a chunk of uranium ore, some cesium ore and got to tour all of Ontario's nuclear plants. I also was able to go on a special tour inside the reactor building at one of them. One of my younger brothers also had a very stripped down version of one of those science kits mentioned in the article (bought at a garage sale).
You might also want to think about this interesting demo I once saw. Basically a geiger counter was run over four different objects in order of the level of radioactivity: a chunk or uranium ore, the lantern bag of a Coleman lantern, a uranium fuel pellet, and an orange Fiestaware dinner plate.
However, the more that I think about it...the more that I want that comic book by Lesile Groves.
I agree. Incidentally, I also once acquired a children's book on the theory of relativity (written by two Russian physicists).
Some of the furbies don't work but they look cool on the shelf! If I want any I'd probably have to go back to my parents house and pick em up. Oh yeah! My mom and I went to toys r us and they had like a major sale on furby accessories. I think we bought roughly 10 backpacks (25 cents each) to carry the furbies in. Ya know, the ones that are seethrough so you can carry the furby with you.
