Comments on: Page about the Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab (1950-1951) http://boingboing.net/2009/03/23/page-about-the-gilbe.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Thu, 20 Jun 2013 09:09:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: billy sunday1 http://boingboing.net/2009/03/23/page-about-the-gilbe.html#comment-448265 billy sunday1 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-448265 Around 1988, I found one of these at a flea market in Birmingham, Alabama and gave it as a graduation gift to my good friend (and mad computer scientist) Rob Smith, when he got his PHD. It was complete except for the glass cloud chamber. Rob found a Geiger counter at school and the radioactive bits were indeed slightly radioactive! The most bizarre aspect of it- besides the whole concept- was that the case it came in. It was a sort of faux, speckled, reptile skin! What a wonderful packaging choice... Around 1988, I found one of these at a flea market in Birmingham, Alabama and gave it as a graduation gift to my good friend (and mad computer scientist) Rob Smith, when he got his PHD. It was complete except for the glass cloud chamber. Rob found a Geiger counter at school and the radioactive bits were indeed slightly
radioactive! The most bizarre aspect of it- besides the whole concept- was that the case it came in. It was a sort of faux, speckled, reptile skin!

What a wonderful packaging choice…

]]> By: teufelsdroch http://boingboing.net/2009/03/23/page-about-the-gilbe.html#comment-448297 teufelsdroch Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-448297 I've made a homemade cloud chamber and geiger counter before: for radiation sources, a balloon with a good static charge works well. Americium 241 is part of every smoke detector. Details on the fish tank cloud chamber are http://www.robfatland.net/mainsequence/index.php?title=Cloud_Chamber among other places. The way-cool butane geiger counter is at https://webh09.cern.ch/teachers/hst/1999/hst1999/expts/new.htm#GM I’ve made a homemade cloud chamber and geiger counter before: for radiation sources, a balloon with a good static charge works well. Americium 241 is part of every smoke detector.

Details on the fish tank cloud chamber are
http://www.robfatland.net/mainsequence/index.php?title=Cloud_Chamber

among other places. The way-cool butane geiger counter is at
https://webh09.cern.ch/teachers/hst/1999/hst1999/expts/new.htm#GM

]]> By: Man On Pink Corner http://boingboing.net/2009/03/23/page-about-the-gilbe.html#comment-448862 Man On Pink Corner Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-448862 #39 <i>I've made a homemade cloud chamber and geiger counter before: for radiation sources, a balloon with a good static charge works well.</i> Don't confuse an E-field associated with a static charge with actual ionizing radiation. They will both ionize gas particles, but through entirely different mechanisms. #39 I’ve made a homemade cloud chamber and geiger counter before: for radiation sources, a balloon with a good static charge works well.

Don’t confuse an E-field associated with a static charge with actual ionizing radiation. They will both ionize gas particles, but through entirely different mechanisms.

]]> By: MarkM http://boingboing.net/2009/03/23/page-about-the-gilbe.html#comment-448621 MarkM Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-448621 #6 "Having one of these now probably puts you on the terrorist watch list." #32/Ned613 Just bidding for one on eBay will put you on a terrorist watch list Just joking about bidding for one on eBay will put you on a terrorist watch list. And, No, joking about joking about bidding for one on eBay will NOT put you on a terrorist watch list. (I looked it up, so dont try to out-meta me!) #6 “Having one of these now probably puts you on the terrorist watch list.”

#32/Ned613 Just bidding for one on eBay will put you on a terrorist watch list

Just joking about bidding for one on eBay will put you on a terrorist watch list.
And, No, joking about joking about bidding for one on eBay will NOT put you on a terrorist watch list. (I looked it up, so dont try to out-meta me!)

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2009/03/23/page-about-the-gilbe.html#comment-448113 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-448113 buy? Just head down to Hanford with a shovel. Or better still, bring a case of beer and swap it with the clean-up guys for some radioactive garbage they'd otherwise have to bury. buy? Just head down to Hanford with a shovel. Or better still, bring a case of beer and swap it with the clean-up guys for some radioactive garbage they’d otherwise have to bury.

]]> By: StRevAlex http://boingboing.net/2009/03/23/page-about-the-gilbe.html#comment-447863 StRevAlex Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-447863 My god, this is beautiful. I think someone really talented should build toys that serve absurd or fantastic purposes (like Bill Barker's Eldritch Co. stuff or Chris Ware's comics) and have the same luscious, colorful kickass Googie design as this Atomic Energy Lab. My god, this is beautiful.

I think someone really talented should build toys that serve absurd or fantastic purposes (like Bill Barker’s Eldritch Co. stuff or Chris Ware’s comics) and have the same luscious, colorful kickass Googie design as this Atomic Energy Lab.

]]> By: coaxial http://boingboing.net/2009/03/23/page-about-the-gilbe.html#comment-447866 coaxial Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-447866 I so want to couple this with an Estes rocket. I so want to couple this with an Estes rocket.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/03/23/page-about-the-gilbe.html#comment-448123 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-448123 I have this and a huge chem kit from the same era. My father's uncle gave them as x-mas gifts way back when. Sometime ago a whole bunch of train cars came through with radioactive sand from Kuwait. They sat in the yard here for a few days. We took the counter over to see what it would do. It crackled at about the same rate it does on U-glass. But there were hotspots were the crackling became nothing more than a loud hiss! EEK! I have this and a huge chem kit from the same era. My father’s uncle gave them as x-mas gifts way back when.

Sometime ago a whole bunch of train cars came through with radioactive sand from Kuwait. They sat in the yard here for a few days. We took the counter over to see what it would do. It crackled at about the same rate it does on U-glass. But there were hotspots were the crackling became nothing more than a loud hiss! EEK!

]]> By: rb3m http://boingboing.net/2009/03/23/page-about-the-gilbe.html#comment-447869 rb3m Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-447869 That's so cool! I wonder if it also works with Plutonium... That’s so cool! I wonder if it also works with Plutonium…

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2009/03/23/page-about-the-gilbe.html#comment-447870 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-447870 Yeah, it's all fun and games until little Johnny ends up looking like <a href="http://www.radjournal.com/articles/radscout/arrested.htm" rel="nofollow">this</a>. Yeah, it’s all fun and games until little Johnny ends up looking like this.

]]> By: Stefan Jones http://boingboing.net/2009/03/23/page-about-the-gilbe.html#comment-447871 Stefan Jones Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-447871 Where did we go wrong? Where did we go wrong?

]]> By: JoshuaZ http://boingboing.net/2009/03/23/page-about-the-gilbe.html#comment-447872 JoshuaZ Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-447872 Having one of these now probably puts you on the terrorist watch list. Having one of these now probably puts you on the terrorist watch list.

]]> By: Clay http://boingboing.net/2009/03/23/page-about-the-gilbe.html#comment-447873 Clay Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-447873 "Dagwood Splits the Atom," eh? Perhaps another historical link in Scott Kurtz' most <a href="http://www.pvponline.com/2009/03/03/ombudsmen-part-2/" rel="nofollow">bizarrely ingenious mashup of the year.</a> “Dagwood Splits the Atom,” eh?

Perhaps another historical link in Scott Kurtz’ most bizarrely ingenious mashup of the year.

]]> By: Stefan Jones http://boingboing.net/2009/03/23/page-about-the-gilbe.html#comment-447874 Stefan Jones Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-447874 @#2: Careful Coaxial . . . <a href="http://home.comcast.net/~stefan_jones/hustler_pose.jpg" rel="nofollow">that way lies madness!</a> @#2:

Careful Coaxial . . . that way lies madness!

]]> By: mdh http://boingboing.net/2009/03/23/page-about-the-gilbe.html#comment-447875 mdh Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-447875 <i>with its own short-lived alpha source (Po-210)</i> <b>Po-210</b> is orders of magnitude more dangerous than mercury. Perhaps Andrei Lugovoi played with the Soviet equivalent as a tot? with its own short-lived alpha source (Po-210)

Po-210 is orders of magnitude more dangerous than mercury. Perhaps Andrei Lugovoi played with the Soviet equivalent as a tot?

]]> By: hkedi http://boingboing.net/2009/03/23/page-about-the-gilbe.html#comment-447877 hkedi Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-447877 Awesomesauce! I found a link to "Dagwood Splits the Atom" scans. I'm still reading it, but so many of the old funny pages faces show up, it's pretty nifty. <a href="http://www.sparehed.com/2007/05/14/dagwood-splits-the-atom/" rel="nofollow">http://www.sparehed.com/2007/05/14/dagwood-splits-the-atom/</a> Awesomesauce! I found a link to “Dagwood Splits the Atom” scans. I’m still reading it, but so many of the old funny pages faces show up, it’s pretty nifty. http://www.sparehed.com/2007/05/14/dagwood-splits-the-atom/

]]> By: JIMWICh http://boingboing.net/2009/03/23/page-about-the-gilbe.html#comment-447878 JIMWICh Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-447878 Okay, now *THAT'S* my definition of free-range children... Okay, now *THAT’S* my definition of free-range children…

]]> By: nixiebunny http://boingboing.net/2009/03/23/page-about-the-gilbe.html#comment-447884 nixiebunny Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-447884 Methinks Gilbert ought to get into the retro science kit business. They could sell a few thousand of these kits to rich Cold War children. They might have to leave out the polonium to get it past the safety people, but still... Methinks Gilbert ought to get into the retro science kit business. They could sell a few thousand of these kits to rich Cold War children.

They might have to leave out the polonium to get it past the safety people, but still…

]]> By: haineux http://boingboing.net/2009/03/23/page-about-the-gilbe.html#comment-447885 haineux Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-447885 The Modernism Gallery in SF might still have Universe Kits, which feature a radioactive source (some uranium glass), a visual radiation detector (a scintillation crystal), and useful instructions, for $20. http://www.modernisminc.com/artists/Jonathon_KEATS/ The Modernism Gallery in SF might still have Universe Kits, which feature a radioactive source (some uranium glass), a visual radiation detector (a scintillation crystal), and useful instructions, for $20.

http://www.modernisminc.com/artists/Jonathon_KEATS/

]]> By: Man On Pink Corner http://boingboing.net/2009/03/23/page-about-the-gilbe.html#comment-449421 Man On Pink Corner Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-449421 #43: <blockquote>That, or you COULD just RTFM.</blockquote> Could you elaborate on that? I don't see anything in the original article or the links you posted about balloons. #43:
That, or you COULD just RTFM.

Could you elaborate on that? I don’t see anything in the original article or the links you posted about balloons.

]]> By: Falcon_Seven http://boingboing.net/2009/03/23/page-about-the-gilbe.html#comment-447888 Falcon_Seven Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-447888 @ #4 - Or like <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCNv7dpaAyY" rel="nofollow">this</a>, Antinous. @ #4 – Or like this, Antinous.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2009/03/23/page-about-the-gilbe.html#comment-447889 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-447889 I think I dated him once. I think I dated him once.

]]> By: hkedi http://boingboing.net/2009/03/23/page-about-the-gilbe.html#comment-447891 hkedi Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-447891 @12 you can get Po-210 at very low (National Regulatory Exempt) levels without needing licensing. A bunch of other Isotopes too: <a href="http://www.spectrumtechniques.com/exempt%20quantities.htm" rel="nofollow">List of NRC exempt levels</a> The top-level domain company sells several alpha, beta and gamma sources to the public (you would have to eat them or sleep with them to be dangerous). The main problem with Po-210 is that it has a short half life and decays pretty quickly, They use the stuff a lot in anti-static brushes for lenses. Personally, I think Na-22 (sodium 22) is pretty nifty, it's one of the few isotopes that decays and produces antimatter (positrons). @12 you can get Po-210 at very low (National Regulatory Exempt) levels without needing licensing. A bunch of other Isotopes too: List of NRC exempt levels The top-level domain company sells several alpha, beta and gamma sources to the public (you would have to eat them or sleep with them to be dangerous). The main problem with Po-210 is that it has a short half life and decays pretty quickly, They use the stuff a lot in anti-static brushes for lenses. Personally, I think Na-22 (sodium 22) is pretty nifty, it’s one of the few isotopes that decays and produces antimatter (positrons).

]]> By: Falcon_Seven http://boingboing.net/2009/03/23/page-about-the-gilbe.html#comment-447892 Falcon_Seven Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-447892 @15 - Could it, maybe, have been this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMaSXbeO3EQ" rel="nofollow">guy</a>? Or, maybe this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWHNA_j7h5A" rel="nofollow">guy</a>? @15 – Could it, maybe, have been this guy? Or, maybe this guy?

]]> By: Falcon_Seven http://boingboing.net/2009/03/23/page-about-the-gilbe.html#comment-447898 Falcon_Seven Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-447898 The included "<a href="http://www.orau.org/ptp/collection/atomictoys/dagwood.htm" rel="nofollow">How Dagwood Splits the Atom</a>" comic book, with his wife Blondie, Mandrake the Magician, and Popeye(?!), is priceless. Who could have imagined back then that Dagwood's best accomplishments; napping, avoiding his boss, and eating huge sandwiches, would be overshadowed by his prowess in nuclear physics! The included “How Dagwood Splits the Atom” comic book, with his wife Blondie, Mandrake the Magician, and Popeye(?!), is priceless. Who could have imagined back then that Dagwood’s best accomplishments; napping, avoiding his boss, and eating huge sandwiches, would be overshadowed by his prowess in nuclear physics!

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2009/03/23/page-about-the-gilbe.html#comment-447904 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-447904 Major Baird: <i>Joyce! Come back!</i> Joel (or Crow or Servo): <i>You haven't written Ulysses yet!</i> Major Baird: Joyce! Come back!

Joel (or Crow or Servo): You haven’t written Ulysses yet!

]]> By: sf http://boingboing.net/2009/03/23/page-about-the-gilbe.html#comment-447909 sf Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-447909 Little Johnny on the box already looks like he has a radiation burn down the side of his face and he is surrounded by a glowing halo which my guess isn't Ready-Brek induced. Little Johnny on the box already looks like he has a radiation burn down the side of his face and he is surrounded by a glowing halo which my guess isn’t Ready-Brek induced.

]]> By: spazzm http://boingboing.net/2009/03/23/page-about-the-gilbe.html#comment-447921 spazzm Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-447921 Cool. I want one. (I had a giggle when I noticed that the box says "Safe!" and it contains <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polonium#Toxicity">Polonium-210</a>. I do realise it's probably trace amounts embedded in glass or something, but still.) By an amazing coinkydink I was down at the op-shop earlier looking for uranium glass with my geiger counter. Cool. I want one.

(I had a giggle when I noticed that the box says “Safe!” and it contains Polonium-210. I do realise it’s probably trace amounts embedded in glass or something, but still.)

By an amazing coinkydink I was down at the op-shop earlier looking for uranium glass with my geiger counter.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/03/23/page-about-the-gilbe.html#comment-448179 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-448179 I had one of these when I was a kid! Now I have tumors! /KIDDING! I had one of these when I was a kid!
Now I have tumors!

/KIDDING!

]]> By: spazzm http://boingboing.net/2009/03/23/page-about-the-gilbe.html#comment-447924 spazzm Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-447924 @#16 hkedi, Based on that list, if my calculations are correct, the exempt amount of Po-210 would be less than 0.2 nanograms. @#16 hkedi,
Based on that list, if my calculations are correct, the exempt amount of Po-210 would be less than 0.2 nanograms.

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