A new documentary is set to expose the jaw-droppingly dangerous playthings that were once considered suitable gifts for children in America. "Hazardous History with Henry Winkler", airing on Sky History, revisits an era when toys containing radioactive materials, sharp metal projectiles, and chemicals that induced a high were marketed without a second thought.
The Science Kits That Crossed The Line
Long before today's stringent safety standards, toy manufacturers operated with a startlingly different mindset. One of the most infamous examples is the Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab, released in 1949. Created in collaboration with nuclear scientists, this kit allowed children to conduct real nuclear reactions. It contained four samples of uranium ore, a Geiger counter, and a cloud chamber to create miniature atomic clouds. The radiation from the unsealed ore samples could escape into the family home, posing a long-term cancer risk. Remarkably, it was its high price tag—equivalent to $600 today—not its danger, that led to it being discontinued.
Even earlier, in 1920, the same toymaker, A.C. Gilbert, produced the Glass Blowing Kit. Aimed at children as young as eight or nine, it encouraged them to use a blowtorch to heat glass to 1200 degrees Fahrenheit, shape it, and blow their own laboratory flasks. The idea was to foster a love of chemistry, but the risk of severe burns was an inherent part of the 'play'.
Creative Toys With Painful Consequences
The mid-20th century also saw the rise of toys that turned children into creators—with hazardous results. Mattel's Thingmaker Creepy Crawlers set, launched in 1964, let kids make rubbery bugs by pouring liquid plastic into metal moulds and heating them on a plate reaching 400 degrees. The inevitable burns led to its removal from shelves after the 1969 Child Protection and Toy Safety Act.
In the 1970s, Wham-O's Super Elastic Bubble Plastic promised semi-permanent bubbles. Children would squeeze a plastic paste onto a straw and blow. However, the fumes from polyvinyl acetate, ethyl acetate, and acetone could induce dizziness and a jittery high. Fears it acted as a gateway drug saw it banned in the 1980s.
Outdoor Games That Caused Injury and Death
Perhaps the most terrifying category was outdoor games. Lawn Darts (Jarts), inspired by an ancient Roman weapon, featured heavy, metal-tipped darts thrown at targets. By 1986, an estimated 10-15 million sets were in US homes. The game was linked to around 6,000 head injuries and the tragic deaths of three children, leading to its well-deserved ban.
Similarly, the Austin Magic Pistol from the late 1940s was a toy gun that used calcium carbide crystals and water to create combustible gas, propelling ping pong balls at speeds up to 48 mph. It caused numerous injuries and was banned in several American states.
The documentary highlights a stark contrast in parenting and manufacturing attitudes from the mid to late 20th century. What was once seen as thrilling preparation for adult life is now viewed as recklessly dangerous, underscoring how far child safety regulations have evolved.
Hazardous History with Henry Winkler airs on Sky History at 10pm on Monday.
