When touching an antique, I feel a near-indescribable experience of being connected to the past. As if history is alive in my hand as I picture the Art Deco wine glass being raised in celebration at a soirée or an aircraft fuel gauge being tapped in a B-52 over France. Some antiques are alive, as they’re radioactive.
This Substack tells the story of my quest for radioactive antiques. Join me here to see my latest radioactive finds, read the stories behind the objects, and discover collecting tips.
My own interest started with uranium glass after seeing cabinets on Reddit stuffed full of glowing green glass. Uranium oxide was used as a colouring agent in glass during the 19th and early 20th centuries, with little knowledge about its radioactivity. Similarly, the radium craze of the early 19th century saw this highly radioactive material being added to watches, compasses, and other consumer products. Today, I have collected over 30 items that range from the years 1850 to 1946.
Expect to see new articles every other week, but you won’t find heavy science – there are far more qualified people who can cover this in academic detail. I collect, enjoy, and respect safety measures.
Please subscribe to follow this journey.
Welcome to Substack! You definitely have a unique niche.