spinthariscope
Date: 1950-1960
Inventory Number: 2010-1-0012b
Classification: Spinthariscope
Subject:
Maker: A. C. Gilbert Company (founded 1909)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Material:
Description:
A spinthariscope taken from a large four sectioned steel-boxed chemsitry set made by the A.C. Gilbert Company. This spinthariscope is simply constructed of cardboard and contains a small amount of depleted uranium dust (Ur 238).
The spinthariscope was usually only found in Gilbert's "U-238 Atomic Energy Lab" (first sold in 1950 for $42.50), and may have come from another set originally rather than being packed with this one.
On October 6. 2010 this object was checked for radioactivity levels and displayed average alpha radiation levels of .175mR/hr.
The spinthariscope was usually only found in Gilbert's "U-238 Atomic Energy Lab" (first sold in 1950 for $42.50), and may have come from another set originally rather than being packed with this one.
On October 6. 2010 this object was checked for radioactivity levels and displayed average alpha radiation levels of .175mR/hr.
In Collection(s)
Signedon side: GILBERT
InscribedIn print along the side of the object: ATOMIC ENERGY / SPINTHARISCOPE /
RADIO ACTIVE / STANDARD ALPHA SOURCE
Stamped: 39 4
RADIO ACTIVE / STANDARD ALPHA SOURCE
Stamped: 39 4
Historical AttributesThe A.C. Gilbert Company was founded in 1909 in Westville, Conneticut by Alfred Carlton Gilbert (born Salem, Oregon 1884, died 1961). Gilbert, a graduate of Yale Medical School and gold medalist in the pole vault at the 1908 London Olympics, was best-known as the inventor of the Erector Set. He gained the moniker "The Man Who Saved Christmas" in 1918 after lobbying the U.S. Council on Defense to continue the production of toys despite a strong government effort to have all non-essential manufacturing ceased for the remaining duration of the First World War.
The company was known for producing Erector Sets, chemistry sets, microscope kits, inexpensive telescopes, slots cars, and model trains.
At the current time (2010) there is a permanent exhibition of Gilbert products at the Eli Whitney Museum in Hamden, Conneticut.
The company was known for producing Erector Sets, chemistry sets, microscope kits, inexpensive telescopes, slots cars, and model trains.
At the current time (2010) there is a permanent exhibition of Gilbert products at the Eli Whitney Museum in Hamden, Conneticut.
ProvenanceGiven to the CHSI by Maggie Jack (A.B. in History of Science, Harvard University, 2010), September 30, 2010.