Atomic laughs

Long before the Simpsons we can find examples of nuclear humor. I've found a number of old postcards that have radioactive stuff at the center of the humor.  The first card is from a set Tout au radium (Everything radium) by an early 20th century illustrator Ph. Norwins. The card shows an exchange between a young man and the father of the object of his affection. The father says that the suitor, penniless as he is, has some nerve asking for the hand of his daughter. The young man agrees that he's penniless but notes he has 10 grams of radium. Dad has a change of heart in the face of such "wealth" and welcomes the young man into his arms.


The card dates from a time when radium seemed to be a miracle substance - but before an understanding of the dangers of excessive radiation exposure. Radium seemed to be a miracle substance, useful for heating homes and useful in any number of radium consumer products from the 19th and early 20th century that would be unthinkable today.

Our second card shows a lady apparently getting her hair done - or at least getting an atomic wave! I hope the Eiffel Tower (seen through the open window) survives the shock waves!

                                 Your faithful blogger,

 

Mr. Burns