Gilbert Chemistry Set
A.C. Gilbert Co., New Haven, Conn., 1920s
“Today’s Adventures in Science Will Create
Tomorrow’s America”
Sodium cyanide, NaCN
Erector Set inventor A.C. Gilbert actually sold kids
this chemistry set with sodium cyanide, the stuff
of suicide capsules and murder most foul. “Deadly
stuff in pretty small doses,” says Thompson, “just
like potassium cyanide. It also reacts with acids to
form hydrogen cyanide gas, which is also deadly.
This isn’t something kids should be messing with.
It’s so toxic that it’d have been insane to include it,
even back when things were a lot more relaxed.”
»DIY: It’s sold by some photography suppliers,
but its transport is heavily regulated.
Gilbert No. U-238 Atomic Energy Lab
A.C. Gilbert Co., New Haven, Conn., 1950s
“Most Modern Scientific Set Ever Created!”
Radioactive uranium ores, UO2 and others
These 4 small samples of carnotite, autunite,
torbernite, and uraninite emitted alpha, beta, and
gamma radiation. The set also had a Geiger counter,
a cloud chamber to see the paths of alpha particles,
and an electroscope and spinthariscope for detecting radioactivity and decay.
»DIY: “Readily available,” says Thompson. “United
Nuclear sells small chunks of various (slightly)
radioactive ores and minerals. They present no real
danger, although they shouldn’t be ingested and
it’s a good idea to handle them only with gloves
and tongs.”
Photography courtesy of A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village
Gilbert Chemistry Set
A.C. Gilbert Co., New Haven, Conn., c. 1920s
Glass blowing kit
A.C. Gilbert strikes again. Sand (silicon dioxide)
melts at 3, 100°F. But if you add soda ash (sodium
carbonate) and powdered limestone (calcium
carbonate), it melts into glass at just 1,600°F. Still,
that’s 1,600°F, kids. Mind your fingers.
»DIY: Readymade lab glassware is sold by suppliers
like Elemental Scientific (see Resources).
Make: 41
