Atomic Power and Other Nuclear Matters
Atomic Car
Posted By: Paul - Tue Aug 27, 2024 -
Comments (1)
Category: Atomic Power and Other Nuclear Matters, 1960s, Europe, Cars
A method for irradiating radioactive radiation
Patent No. 6,415,009 (granted in 2002) is titled, "Method for producing a coiled body for irradiating radioactive radiation."What could it mean to irradiate radioactive radiation? When I came across the phrase I had to stop and think about it.
The text of the patent unfortunately didn't provide any clarification, although it did reveal that all this irradiating is being done in the context of brachytherapy (from wikipedia: "a form of radiation therapy where a sealed radiation source is placed inside or next to the area requiring treatment").
The phrase "radioactive radiation" actually does make sense to me. Radiation is a catch-all term for the emission of any kind of electromagnetic energy. So 'radioactive radiation' would be high-energy or ionizing radiation, as opposed to, say, low-energy heat radiation.
But I'm still confused what they mean by irradiating radioactive radiation? Does it mean to make radioactive radiation even more radioactive?
Or are they misusing the word 'irradiate'? My dictionary indicates that 'irradiate' means either to be exposed to radiation or to be illuminated by radiation. The sun radiates or emits light, and the earth is irradiated by its light.
So did the patentees mean 'emitting' rather than 'irradiating'? I'm just not sure. If anyone can figure out what the phrase means, let me know.
Posted By: Alex - Mon Aug 26, 2024 -
Comments (3)
Category: Science, Atomic Power and Other Nuclear Matters, Patents
The Radioactive Pup of Bikini Atoll
Operation Crossroads page at Wikipedia.
Posted By: Paul - Sat Mar 30, 2024 -
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Category: Military, Atomic Power and Other Nuclear Matters, Dogs, 1940s, South Pacific
The Complacent Americans
One such gem is a Civil Defense "scare" album called THE COMPLACENT AMERICANS that simply must be heard to be believed. This LP - with its bright orange mushroom cloud cover and its hyperbolic advisories to sensitive listeners - could well have been produced by that genius of exploitation William Castle. But actually it was recorded under the stately auspices of the Office of Civil Defense, a sub-branch of the U.S. government (later replaced by FEMA).
Posted By: Paul - Thu Feb 29, 2024 -
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Category: PSA’s, War, Vinyl Albums and Other Media Recordings, Atomic Power and Other Nuclear Matters, 1960s
Harold Tifft’s Portable Nuclear Bomb Shield
Harold Tifft claimed that his portable shield would "protect the wearer against heat, atomic radiation, atomic fall-out and flying debris in the event of nuclear warfare." When not in use it fit inside a carrying case, but when needed it could be rapidly assembled into a full-body shield. From his patent:In his patent he never mentioned how much the thing weighed. Carrying the thing around constantly would surely have been a challenge.
Cincinnati Post - Jan 26, 1960
Posted By: Alex - Mon Feb 19, 2024 -
Comments (3)
Category: Patents, Atomic Power and Other Nuclear Matters, 1960s
Fallout Fashion Show
It's no weirder than many of the outfits displayed at fashion shows nowadays.
Charlotte News - Oct 11, 1961
Posted By: Alex - Thu Feb 15, 2024 -
Comments (0)
Category: Fashion, Atomic Power and Other Nuclear Matters, 1960s
Follies of the Madmen #587
We have seen instances of this theme before: a giant nuclear mushroom cloud does not indicate death and destruction, but rather it shows your product is powerful.
Posted By: Paul - Wed Feb 07, 2024 -
Comments (0)
Category: Death, Music, Advertising, Atomic Power and Other Nuclear Matters, 1960s, Weapons
In the event of nuclear war, drink beer
Sounds like a sensible plan to me.As for whether bottles would protect the beer inside from radiation, I imagine that would be the least of one's concerns after a nuclear war.
Tacoma News Tribune - July 7, 1958
Posted By: Alex - Mon Jan 08, 2024 -
Comments (2)
Category: Inebriation and Intoxicants, Atomic Power and Other Nuclear Matters, 1950s
Atomic Bomb Survival Jacket
As the designers admitted, it wasn't going to protect anyone against an atomic bomb or radiation. But as a survival jacket it seemed pretty well equipped. Though a backpack full of the same stuff would seem to be more practical.
"Jean Shore displays inside pocket arrangement of survival jacket."
image source: Harry Ransom Center
Muncie Star Press - Jan 15, 1951
Posted By: Alex - Fri Jan 05, 2024 -
Comments (2)
Category: Fashion, Atomic Power and Other Nuclear Matters, 1950s
Uranium may be in your backyard
From what I can gather, this device (a 'geigerscope') would make visible the flashes of radiation given off by radioactive substances such as uranium. But (not mentioned by the ad) it only worked in complete darkness, with a dark-adapted eye. So not a practical way to hunt for uranium deposits.And if you had uranium in your backyard, you might wanna find somewhere else to live.
More info: periodictable.com
Posted By: Alex - Wed Dec 20, 2023 -
Comments (5)
Category: Atomic Power and Other Nuclear Matters
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| Alex Boese Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes. Paul Di Filippo Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over thirty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. He has recently begun blogging on many curious topics with three fellow writers at The Inferior 4+1. Contact Us |