In 1947, Kix cereal introduced a bold promotion during the nuclear-obsessed 1940s—a time when atomic energy was seen as a symbol of progress and modernity. For just 15 cents and a cereal box top, children could get the Lone Ranger Atomic “Bomb” Ring.
This ring was more than a simple toy. It contained a tiny amount of polonium-210, a radioactive isotope, inside a spinthariscope. This allowed wearers to see flashes of light caused by alpha particles. The ring had a “magic viewing chamber” with a zinc sulfide screen that glowed when hit by alpha particles from the polonium. While it was considered “safe” as long as the polonium wasn’t inhaled or ingested, polonium-210 is actually one of the most toxic substances known.
The ring’s design also included a red plastic “tailfin,” which doubled as a secret message compartment. Today, these rings are collector’s items and museum curiosities, reflecting the unique post-WWII fascination with the “atomic age.”
Although it was advertised as “perfectly safe” back then, a children’s toy containing radioactive material wouldn’t meet modern safety standards. Despite the dangers, few questioned it at the time, as the public was captivated by atomic wonder, often overlooking safety concerns. Now, the ring stands as an eerie relic—a strange reminder of a time when radiation was marketed as a marvel and no one thought twice about giving it to kids.