Back in 1947, General Mills’ KiX cereal offered kids what might be the most radioactive toy prize ever—the Atomic “Bomb” Ring—for just 15 cents and a box top. Also called the Lone Ranger Atomic Bomb Ring, this unusual piece of bling reflected America’s post-WWII fascination with atomic energy.
The ring featured an adjustable gold-colored band with explosion designs on the sides. On top, a mini aluminum warhead held a removable red plastic tailfin, which doubled as a secret compartment for tiny messages. But the real atomic magic happened inside!
Underneath the tailfin was a “hidden atomic chamber”—a tiny spinthariscope that let kids see actual atomic reactions! In a dark room, looking through the plastic lens revealed flashes of light caused by Polonium-210 alpha particles hitting a zinc sulfide screen.
Of course, giving kids a radioactive toy wouldn’t fly today, but at the time, ads assured parents it was “perfectly safe.” With a half-life of about 140 days, any surviving Atomic Bomb Rings are now harmless relics—but they remain a fascinating piece of Cold War-era nostalgia.
