Learn what may have been the most dangerous toy in the world

American AC Gilbert was the founder of one of the largest toy companies in the world. His company was founded in 1909 in Westville, Connecticut, originally as a magic show supply company. It was only a few years later that he began making toys, creating the first that was a game of building railway bridges and other structures.

Long after this very successful launch, AC Gilbert launched chemistry, microscopy and atomic energy lab kits. Needless to say, the latter may have been the most dangerous toy in the world.

Their microscopy kits came with parts of insects, while others allowed children to use molten lead to make their own little soldiers, and in the atomic energy kit there were a few different types of uranium - very common for children to play, isn't it? ? Do not.

Zero security

Today, most toys come with rounded edges, safety features, bright colors, and age-limiting caution labels for use.

There are consumer safety warnings and extensive testing done to make sure no one will be accidentally hurt by that gift that made the joy of a child's birthday. Also, parents' attention today is even greater on checking several times if the toy offers any risk.

But it was not always so. Those toys made by the giant AC Gilbert Company, which was a major manufacturer between 1909 and 1964, at the beginning, brought together fun together notions of architecture, science and physics in an educational way. But later...

For only $ 6.50, children could buy the Gilbert Kaster Kit. The game allowed them to make their own lead soldiers with the molten metal by simply heating it to 200 degrees Celsius and molding it.

In microscope kits, children could choose from those that included things like bits of minerals or bits of insects, all ready to be examined under the microscope.

Nuclear energy

But the chemistry sets were even more insecure, although the kids thought it was fun, which it really was, but they didn't realize the risk they were taking.

With these kits, children could experiment with mixing and heating chemicals such as sodium nitrate, ammonium chloride and cobalt chloride, some of which even included different types of cyanide.

Then there was, of course, the Gilbert Glass Blowing Kit, which allowed children to make their own test tubes by melting and shaping glass with a blowtorch. But the worst was yet to come. Soon, the Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Laboratory product was launched, and although it was short lived, many children had hours of fun handling radioactive material.

Children could learn how to use a Geiger counter (also included in the kit) - which is a radiation detector - use the uranium ore contained in the kit (all very safe), play with the miniature cloud chamber and read all about it. radioactive materials in the books included.

There was also a leaflet that had an intensive course on how to find your own uranium. The item was withdrawn from circulation due to allegations that it was radioactive and a danger to children. The bizarreness and danger of the toy became so famous later that the item is now one of the most sought after by collectors, who can afford a high price for it.