Explore Nuclear

Artefacts of the Atomic Age

Explore the time popular culture went mad for nuclear

The Atomic Age began after the detonation of the first atomic weapon. The Trinity test occurred on the 16th of July 1945 during the Second World War. After the end of the war, the name ‘Atomic Age’ become associated with a positive outlook at the future made possible by peaceful uses of the atom. These included hopes that nuclear technology would be able to replace all traditional forms of power generation and would enable incredible scientific breakthroughs across almost all aspects of life. This era of optimism produced a vast range of interesting cultural phenomena, life-styles, products, and philosophies. Explore a selection of these below in our gallery of artefacts.

Las Vegas, nicknamed the 'Atomic City', became a hotspot for 'Atomic Tourism' during the 1950s. The US military was conducting frequent above-ground tests of atomic weapons at the Nevada Test Site. These were quickly turned into tourist spectacles by corporations in Las Vegas. Casinos advertised rooms and rooftops with views of the detonations and 'Dawn Bomb Parties' started popping up to celebrate each explosion.

Atomic bomb test at Nevada Test Site as seen from Las Vegas

Exercise Desert Rock I

The first US nuclear field exercise conducted on land. The test occurred at the Nevada Test Site outside of Las Vegas and would have been visible to visitors of the 'Atomic City'

Atomic Cocktails

The name refers to a range of different cocktails with similar themes. Names included 'Apricot Fission', 'Flying Saucer', 'Star Fire', and 'Ray Gun'. They generally referenced atoms, nuclear fission, or space travel.

Designed in the 'Atomic Age' design style, this museum collects iconic neon signs from Las Vegas's past.

Obsession with the possibilities of atomic energy wasn't just limited to the US. These ideas took centre stage during the 1958 World's Fair in Brussels. The crown jewel of the exhibition was the Atomium. The building was designed as a tribute to scientific progress in fields such as nuclear physics.

Lounge at Los Angeles Airport

The 'Atomic Age' and the 'Space Age' were closely related. Designs depicting aspects of both atoms and space travel were common place. This included buildings and interior design.

Miss Atomic Bomb

Las Vegas combined the nearby atomic weapon tests with showgirls to create a unique beauty contest. The 'Miss Atomic' Pageant. This particular picture is of Lee Merlin, the final 'Miss Atomic', wearing a cotton mushroom cloud costume.

The bikini was first introduced at a Paris fashion show, and named after the infamous Bikini Atoll. An atomic weapons test had taken place there just days before the show.

Flying Saucer Dress

The 'Atomic Age' and the 'Space Age' were closely related. Designs depicting aspects of both atoms and space travel were common place. This even extended into the world of fashion.

Atom Shaped Ceiling Light

The 'Atomic Age' and the 'Space Age' were closely related. Designs depicting aspects of both atoms and space travel were common place. This included buildings and interior design.

Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab

The Gilbert Lab was a learning set and children's toy featuring different varieties of real uranium ore. Other components included a cloud chamber and various radiation detectors. The set has been referred to as "One of the most dangerous toys of all time."

Revell Westinghouse Atomic Power Plant

Toys were often designed to be educational, such as this very detailed plastic model kit of a Westinghouse Nuclear Power Plant.

Atomic Bomb Toy

Not all uses of atoms are peaceful. Yet, various atomic weapon themed toys emerged over the decades, seemingly downplaying the severity of these weapons of mass destruction. "A safe, harmless giant atomic bomb"

Atomic Reactor Steam Toy

A steam powered 'Atomic Reactor' toy made in Japan in the 1950s.

The 'Atomic Age' and the 'Space Age' were closely related. Designs depicting aspects of both atoms and space travel were common place and sometimes fused together, such as this Uranium powered space ray gun.

Atomic Fire Balls

Depictions of nuclear power and weapons were commonplace, including in the advertising of sweets.

These comic books featured characters such as 'Atomic Mouse' and 'Atomic Bunny' that obtained fantastical powers thanks to consuming uranium.

Adventures inside the Atom

Corporations such as General Electric (GE) used popular media such as comic books to communicate the peaceful uses of nuclear power, such as generating electricity.

Uranium glass predates the 'Atomic Age', being discovered in 1789. The addition of uranium gave the pieces a recognisable green or yellow colour and meant that they glow under ultraviolet light.

Watch dials used to be painted with luminous paint containing Radium-226. This gave it the ability to glow in the dark. Moderns watches uses different materials which are not radioactive.

Ingersoll Radiolite Watch Advert

Watch dials used to be painted with luminous paint containing Radium-226. This gave it the ability to glow in the dark.

A concept car developed by Ford in the 50s. It was designed to be powered by a tiny nuclear reactor.

Nuclear powered aircraft were attempted at various points throughout the past. This particular aircraft carried a reactor to test radiation shielding, but did not use it for propulsion.

Atoms for Peace Stamp

The 'Atoms for Peace' Speech by US president Dwight Eisenhower marks a central moment in the history of nuclear energy. Here it is commemorated in the form of a postal stamp.

An example of pseudo-scientific medicine using radioactive Radium isoptopes. The company claimed that low doses of radiation were beneficial to health.

An example of a pseudo-scientific health product using radioactive Thorium. The company claimed that low doses of radiation were beneficial to gum health by promoting blood circulation.

An example of a full range of pseudo-scientific beauty products using radioactive Radium. The company claimed that low doses of radiation were beneficial to skin. The product range included powders, creams, and soaps.

An example of a pseudo-scientific beauty product using radioactive Radium and Thorium. The company claimed that low doses of radiation were beneficial to living cells. Tho-Radia is mainly known for its striking advertising and use of the name 'Curie' to legitimise the product.

Las Vegas – Enric Cruz López – Photography (pexels.com) – Free Stock Photo & Video License – Pexels

Mushroom Cloud – National Nuclear Security Administration / Nevada Site Office – Public domain

Exercise Desert Rock 1 – Federal Government of the United States – Public domain

Atomic Cocktails – US ARMY Information Film – Public domain

Atomium – Marek Śliwecki – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0

Lounge at Los Angeles Airport – Payton Chung – CC BY-SA 2.0

Neon Museum – Elizabeth K. Joseph – CC Attribution 2.0 Generic

Miss Atomic Bomb – Las Vegas News Bureau

Bikini – Warner Brothers – Public domain

Flying Saucer Dress – Issey Miyake

Atom Shaped Ceiling Light – Duncan~ – CC BY 2.0

Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab – Tiia Monto – Public domain

Revell Westinghouse Atomic Power Plant – Reddit

Atomic Bomb Toy – The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis – CC Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

Atomic Reactor Steam Toy – Cloud atlas – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0

Atomic Pistol – Smithsonian Institution – Public domain

Atomic Fire Balls – Unknown author – Public domain

Atomic Mouse – Al Fago – Public domain

Adventures inside the Atom – George Roussos – Public domain

Radium Dial – Arma95 – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0

Uranium Glass – Raimond Spekking – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0

Ford Nucleon – Unknown author – Public domain

Ingersoll Radiolite Watch Advert – Perry County Republican – Public domain

Atoms for Peace Stamp – Bureau of Engraving and Printing – Public domain

Convair NB-36H – USAF – Public domain

Radithor – Sam LaRussa – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0

Tho-Radia – Cinémagazine – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0

Doramad – Suit – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0

Radior – Radior cosmetics – Public domain

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