|
Degnen's Standard Radio-Active Solar Pad (1915-1930) |
|
|
|
|
|
M.L. Degnen, "the man who made this pad possible," has been associated with the development of the science of "radio-activity" since its inception. The knowledge thus gained has culminated in the "Radio-active Solar Pad," or so stated the literature of the Radium Appliance Company of Los Angeles. This device was somewhat unusual in that it was supposed to be charged in sunlight prior to use. The manufacturer explained that its "radio-activity is further increased by exposing the pad to sunlight" and "when applied to the body, the pad immediately begins to discharge this energy into the system, sending the lifegiving current through the blood and nervous system." Donated by Phil Nieberg. |
|
|
|
|
|
Degnen's Radio-Active Solar Pad seems to have been produced in two versions: the one shown in the top photo that contains purified radium, and the one in the lower photograph that contains a relatively small amount of uranium ore. The manufacturer's literature that I have seen only refers to the use of radium. I suspect that the company might have switched to uranium sometime around 1930. If true, a switch might have been made because the uranium would have been a less expensive alternative to radium. Another possible reason for a switch: radium was getting some bad press in the late 1920s due, in part, to the deaths of the radium dial painters. Size: ca. 4" x 10" Exposure Rates: ca. 35 - 40 uR/hr above background at one foot for the radium containing pad (top photo) ca. 1-2 uR/hr above background at one foot for the uranium containing pad (bottom photo)
Donated by Rutgers University courtesy of Patrick McDermott |
 |
|
|
|
