Radium Quest

Radioactive Fiestaware: The Uranium hidden in a late collector's cabinet

A lifelong Fiestaware collector left behind a cabinet of vintage dinnerware. When it came to me through a UK estate sale, I couldn't believe my luck.

May 24 • Michael White

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Hunting Kingswood Mine, one of the most radioactive mines in the UK

A 1919 pitchblende sensation, a 1949 hush-hush government survey, and a solo Radiacode visit to what's left of the most radioactive mine in Devon.

May 18 • Michael White

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January 2026

Radioactive colours of Lewes

A trip that resulted in blue uranium glass and a very dark green ashtray

Jan 22 • Michael White

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December 2025

How the great atomic craze birthed this Substack

I founded this Substack to hunt the radioactive relics of a decade when the science wasn't understood. In a world of sterilised safety, the click of a…

Dec 23, 2025 • Michael White

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November 2025

What is Uranium Glass?

For the uninitiated, the world of uranium glass can be a little daunting. Is it dangerous? Why does it glow? I’ve written this article for newcomers of…

Nov 19, 2025 • Michael White

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Uranium-glazed antiques: The British did it posh, the Americans did it loud

A closer look at Fiestaware, Crown Staffordshire, and a mysterious European vase

Nov 18, 2025 • Michael White

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Competition: Win a WW2 gun air pressure gauge

Free to enter subscriber competition! Subscribe, leave a comment, and the winner will be announced at the end of November 2025

Nov 7, 2025 • Michael White

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This WW2 pocket watch is still ticking - and still radioactive

A Swiss-made timepiece became a symbol of wartime innovation and postwar radiation risks

Nov 3, 2025 • Michael White

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October 2025

The UK pottery that was using uranium glazing in the 1960s

Eric Leaper's bold colourful designs hold a radioactive secret, many used uranium to achieve brilliance

Oct 10, 2025 • Michael White

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Measuring the radioactivity of my WW2 aircraft gauge collection

A microsievert snapshot of aviation history

Oct 5, 2025 • Michael White

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September 2025

Radium aircraft gauges galore at World War 2 museum

Possibily the most radioactive place in Sussex, UK

Sep 12, 2025 • Michael White

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Hunting radioactive relics at an IACF Antiques Fair

The largest South of England fair had many spicy treasures to offer

Sep 6, 2025 • Michael White

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