Re: Unsafe High School Science Project

[DTu7266800@aol.com]

Lew,
I too made an X-ray machine with a radio tube and model T spark coil for my 
high school project ( and received an A) in the mid 1950's in Northern 
California.  I found the plans in an old Popular Science Magazine.  I did 
cask a lead shield (which was far more hazardous than the radiation).  I 
radiographed a necklace chain.  

I remember that the photography shop where I purchased the plate film didn't 
want to develop the film because they were afraid it would fog the other 
customers' film from "residual radiation".  I had quite a time convincing an 
adult that the film itself wasn't radioactive.  That summer I won a science 
scholarship to Humboldt State and met someone who knew a "professional" in 
the field of health physics.  She sent me a couple of film badges which I 
exposed and returned to her for processing.  I don't remeber the exposure 
rate but it was miniscule.

I wonder if my exuberance was suppressed back then if I would ever have 
persued a career in health physics that resulted in being the RPM for 2 
Nuclear power plants, and the RSO for 3 state licenses.

Regards,

Doug
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