The Gilbert Atomic Energy Lab

The Gilbert Company, one of the Most Dangerous Kids Toys of All Time, was all about creating toys and kits for kids to grow up to be supervillains... at least, that's our premise. Their Atomic Energy Lab did precisely what it said on the tin. A Uranium-238 Geiger counter, a Wilson cloud chamber, a spinthariscope, an electroscope, and four samples of uranium ores were included in the kit. Yes, you read that correctly: the kids got their hands on radioactive uranium-238. It's also utilized to create plutonium-239, despite the fact that it's not fissile in and of itself (the main ingredient used in atomic weapons). Of course, these samples weren't being used to build miniature Manhattan Projects in garages. They were getting cancer, not the other way around.

U-238 has been associated to a variety of diseases, including leukemia, lymphoma, and Gulf War Syndrome. It is not something to be taken lightly, and it should never be placed in the hands of children who are simply interested in learning about atomic energy.

This collection was produced in 1950, five years after the first two atomic bombs were exploded in combat. Gilbert, you'd think, would have looked up the hazards of the substance. The kit was quite pricey. Few people bought it for their enthusiastic young supervillains because it cost roughly $350 in today's money, and it was discontinued after only two years.