Fall Puzzler

The Answer

OK, I've got to put an end to this before gkillion expires of creative frenzy. Some splendid answers, there, folks.

It is, of course, a Scintillator, which is, indeed, a uranium-finding device, from 1952, which seems to suggest that uncle janko is first in, with his "geiger counter" reply, with an honorable mention to Hille, for "treasure finder."

The instruction manual is quite amazing, with advice, for instance, to wrap your uranium in tinfoil before putting it in your backpack.

Here's the box it came in, with its splendid illustration of the Scintillator in use.

 

So how much uranium did you find?

Here's a nice picture: http://www.orau.org/ptp/collection/surveymeters/precisiondeluxe.htm

Here's a story about the company: http://www.bsnpubs.com/pri/pristory.html

Attached is a picture of an ad.

 

Thank you, oxpecker.

I still have this plan, on some boring day, of going into Radio Shack and asking for two 67-and-a-half volt batteries.

If I get some, I can fire up the Scintillator, and head for Livermore and see what turns up.

 

Oddly, that is not an uncommon battery and it is still used in some applications. Eveready 467 is a suitable battery for your application. It is an IEC 45F40 battery probably judging from the size of the belt clip box.

Glow if you find anything.

 

What does uranium emit? I suppose it would be U235, not U233, in nature...If it's an alpha or beta emitter, I suppose tinfoil would be an adequate shield. If it emits gamma rays, six inches of lead might be a better choice...

 

Aha. I found it. U238 decays very slowly by alpha emission. The chain from there is largely beta.

Tinfoil makes some sense. Your skin will stop alpha particles but you need to scrub your hands carefully BECAUSE if an alpha emitter is inhaled or ingested, cancer is a near certainty.

That's why all those Navajo uranium miners died, and are dying, of lung cancer.

Brrr.