“URANIUM TO PLAY!”: CHILDHOOD, MATERIAL CULTURE AND RADIATION IN THE MOST DANGEROUS BOARD GAME OF HISTORY (1950)

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze the concept of childhood in historiography, using the iconography available in documentation. From this perspective, we investigate the “Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab” toy, developed by the American Alfred Carlton Gilbert in the 1950s. Our investigation focuses on the relationship between childhood and toys, as well as examining the negligence of adults regarding the health risks associated with the production of toxic toys at the time. We adopted a descriptive, explanatory and qualitative methodological approach. We concluded that the game emerged in The Cold War context, reflecting the nuclear frenzy promoted by the US, even though it was aware of the risks of radiation. Gilbert, motivated by commercial interests, did not consider the health implications. The failure of sales can be attributed to marketing factors, such as the price of the set and the lack of professional association with the world of radiation.