Atomic Advent Calendar: Day 19 Gift Idea

Be the coolest kid on the block with your Buck Rogers U-235 Atomic Pistol! This absolutely harmless cap gun comes complete with a uranium concentrating magazine, atomic power release chamber, fission rate indicator, neutron blast initiator, and more!

After World War II, Daisy created the U-235 Atomic Pistol, reflecting the current fascination with atomic energy, and was available with a blue finish, unfinished steel or gold. When the trigger (neutron blast initiator) is pulled, the sparking chamber (caps) lights up and blasts your enemies with a loud pop!

Ready for Christmas in 1946, you could mail away your order for the Buck Rogers Atomic Pistol for only $2.00 (or $26.38 in 2019 dollars).

The Kansas City Public Library takes you on a tour of the difference between the Buck Rogers Atomic Pistol and the Atomic Disintegrator.

Atomic Advent Calendar: Day 17 Gift Idea

You might recognize the “B-29” and lead bomb from the Atom Bomber. You’d be right! Let’s re-purpose these little buddies to drop bombs on ships! Hit the target, and the battleship explodes (harmlessly) into 8 parts!

Continuing with the tradition of harmlessly bombing things, this 1953 playset reminds parents that the atom bomb doesn’t actually explode things. Your kids are safe when playing with the lead atom bomb.

The battleship reassembles simply, for bombing over and over again. It promises hours of endless military fun. Pretend you’re dropping Gilda from Dave’s Dream with the 509th Bombardment Group as part of test Able of Operation Crossroads!

Atomic Advent Calendar: Day 15 Gift Ideas

G.I. Joe moved from the battlefield to the adventure field, fighting such adversaries as ecological disasters and wild animals instead of other humans. Joe was now part of the Adventure Team, ready for action and adventures in the jungles, desserts, mountains, oceans, and radioactive landscapes.

Need a clean up in Hanford? Spill some radiation at Oak Ridge? Drop some uranium ore in Los Alamos? Never fear, as Joe’s ready to detect some radiation with his green jump suit, handy belt with secure container, goggles, and pincer arm to get that pesky (simulated) uranium rock out of the way. All the safety equipment needed! His flocked hair and beard is sure to keep that pesky ionizing radiation from doing damage!

G.I. Joe Adventure Team Radiation Detection equipment and clothing sets retailed for $1.99 each ($12.25 in 2019 dollars) at all the major toy outlets beginning in 1972, and you could often buy two sets for only $3.00 (a bargain at $18.46 in 2019 dollars).

If your parents are generous, be sure to ask them for the Mike Power, Atomic Man, action figure to put that (simulated) uranium rock juice to good use.