The ‘World’s Most Dangerous Toy’ Is Up For Auction

PS5 Pfft! How about U238 – as in Uranium?

Hey Kids! Let’s Build a NUKE!!

The Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Laboratory was released in the early 1950s and comes complete with real uranium ore samples.

It was originally marketed as an ‘educational tool’ and the brainchild of the creator of another iconic toy the Erector Set – Alfred Carlton Gilbert.

But just like a countdown, 3… 2… 1… BOOM! The Atomic Energy Lab was gone in a flash.

Production ceased in 1951 due to difficulties sourcing materials (a.k.a. mining uranium). This was detailed in a 1953 letter from the manufacturer (A.C. Gilbert Co.) sighting “government restrictions” as the main reason.

The kit contained four glass jars, each with a small amount of radioactive material inside.  So you could use a Geiger counter to test the radiation levels.  But it wasn’t as dangerous as you’d think – as long as you didn’t open the jars (good luck with that). But playing with it still exposed you to the amount of radiation equivalent to what you’d get from a full day in the sun.

It was deemed the most dangerous toy ever sold  – which I would STILL give that title to the original, metal-tipped Lawn Jarts.

Complete kits in good condition are hard to come by and one sold in a recent auction for $13, 200!

[NY POST] [Interesting Engineering]