In the century since radioactivity was discovered, radioactive substances have been used extensively for a number of applications. Especially in the early part of the 20th century, and to a lesser extent today, a number of commonly available products have been radioactive. These include:

• luminous watch dials (radium and tritium)
• orange ceramicware (notably Fiestaware from the 40s and 50s; uranium oxide)
• smoke detectors (americium 241; in current use)
• gas camping lantern mantles (thorium; some manufacturers no longer use this)
• camera lenses (thorium)
• static eliminators for film and records (polonium 210)
• welding rods and arc lamps (thorium)
• vacuum tubes (thorium was used to increase electron emission)

A fascinating look at the proliferation of uses of radioactive materials in the last century can be found in the book "Living with Radiation: The First Hundred Years" by Paul Frame and William Kolb. It tells the story of the use of radioactive materials in consumer and commercial products in the century since radioactivity was discovered.

Second edition; copyright William M. Kolb and Paul Frame, 2000; 256 pages, numerous photographs.

• Table of Contents
• Preface
• Sample page

$37.00 plus shipping.

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