Exciting
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This is wild!!

In the midst of the nuclear fever of the 1940s, when atomic energy was seen as a symbol of progress, a cereal company decided to make history... although not exactly for safe reasons.

In 1947, the Kix brand launched an unusual promotion: for just 15 cents and a box of cereal, children could receive the Lone Ranger Atomic "Bomb" Ring. A futuristic ring containing... Poland-210.

Yep, radioactive material.

The ring had a small "magic camera" with zinc sulfur screen. Glowing thanks to polen emitted alpha particles. Theoretically, harmless .. as long as they don't enter the body.

But polonium-210 is one of the most lethal isotopes that exists if inhaled or ingested. And yet no one seemed to care. Enthusiasm for the atomic age was so great that child safety has taken a background.

Today, this ring is preserved as a curious museum relic. A reminder to that naive time when radioactive was synonymous with modernity... and not out of danger.

Because there was a time they put polish on toys. And no one found it crazy.
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DeWayfarer · 61-69, M
You wouldn't believe some of the dumb things people allowed kids to both have and do. Even in the 1960s.

Safety just wasn't a big concern.

I had a guitar amp that would shock anyone that touched it. 🤷🏻‍♂

Had to switch it on first before plugging it in. My half brother kept turning it off. 🤣
Gibbon · 70-79, M
Hazardous History with Henry Winkler has started this week on the History channel about these very things.
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FreestyleArt · 36-40, M
I heard there was missing Nuclear bombs near Japan and South Asia Sea. it's probably no accident. Man plan for super natural disasters in the future. these are very smart secret society...way deeper than the ones we're facing right now.
Convivial · 26-30, F
There was also an atomic chemistry set... And a radioactive piece of metal you put in your cigarette pocket to remove the nicotine lol....
My mother's older sister loves kix, personally I think it has no flavor.
NinaTina · 26-30, F
@NativePortlander1970 yeah I don't like it either

 
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