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HappinessYou’ll learn
- Why radium was once deemed 'safe'
- How a job opportunity turned deadly
- The truth behind corporate denial
- About the uphill battle for justice
Table of contents
first KEY POINT
The most radioactive metal on earth
Radium, discovered by Marie and Pierre Curie in December 1898, was such an intriguing discovery with seemingly endless special features. Every day, the couple uncovered new facets of radium. As described by the Curies' daughter, the element left marks on photographic plates even through black paper. The substance could deteriorate substances and turn the paper or cotton wool it was stored in into dust.Marie and Pierre found radium undeniably mesmerizing and extracted a small amount for a scholar to present in a lecture in England. The researcher snugly placed the radium in a thin glass cylinder in his waistcoat pocket. Unnoticed by him, radium radiated its powerful energy against his skin through the fabric of his waistcoat. This exposure led to a mysterious and painful burn on his abdomen. Initially baffled by the sudden appearance of this burn, he eventually realized its cause. This incident highlighted the dual nature of radium — a substance of great scientific interest and potential, yet a material that required careful handling due to its hazardous nature.
Scientific exploration has tremendous power, but handling discoveries with caution is vital.
second KEY POINT
How war opened up new job opportunities
Around 1917, World War I ushered in new employment opportunities for young girls in Newark, New Jersey. The watch dial factory of the Radium Luminous Materials Corporation was a mini gold mine, since all they had to do was paint radium on watches and dials for military use. However, this process involved a dangerous practice known as “lip-pointing,” where the workers would use their lips to shape the paintbrush into a fine point for detailed work.Among the many ladies working on the dials was an exceptionally bright teenager, Grace Fryer. Grace had a job that paid about the same amount as dial-painting did, but she quit to join the radium company as it was near her home. She received training in the painting technique commonly used by dial painters and inspectors.Upon introduction, the girls expressed concerns about the radium's potential toxicity. But they were assured they had nothing to fear as the substance wasn't poisonous. With their fears eased, they grew used to the brush in their mouths. And as they did, they got more accustomed to swallowing more and more paint as the workload increased to meet the rising demand.Unbeknownst to the workers, radium had its drawbacks. Despite being known to cure tumors and other health issues, it could also harm healthy tissue. Radium was a harmful substance, and the Curies, having discovered it, had endured numerous damages, so they were well aware of its potential dangers. Pierre once commented that he wouldn't want to be left alone with a kilogram of pure radium, as it could burn his skin, blind him, and possibly kill him.But young women painting watch dials with radium were unaware of the need for safety measures. The wonder drug was radium, so why worry? If anything, they felt fortunate to have the opportunity and good pay. Thus, they continued to work with gratitude. However, it wasn't long after that the girls started getting sick. One woman got sores in her mouth after a month of working there. A 15-year-old girl named Katherine Schaub developed strange pimples, and high amounts of phosphorus were found in her blood during a visit with her doctor. After sharing her discoveries with her colleagues, they became frightened and approached their manager to get answers. But again, he stuck to his story of the paint being harmless, except this time, the girls knew better.Not long after, Von Sochocky, a key figure of Radium Luminous Materials Corporation, traveled from New York and educated the factory workers about radium to assure them of its safety. Sochocky told them that the doctors determined that the paint posed no risk due to the minimal quantity of radium involved. Feeling somewhat relieved by these affirmations, the girls returned to their tasks, and as the enterprise was growing, many even brought their family members into the company.
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first KEY POINT
Radium continues to act
second KEY POINT
When the company finally pays attention
third KEY POINT
The long fight for justice
fourth KEY POINT
The Radium Girls shook the system
fifth KEY POINT
Conclusion
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Frequently asked questions
What is The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women about?
The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women, authored by Kate Moore, narrates the harrowing true story of female factory workers who suffered devastating health effects from painting radium on watch dials. The book explores themes of corporate negligence, resilience, and the fight for justice, highlighting the women's struggles against their employers for acknowledgment and compensation.
Who is the author of The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women?
The book The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women is authored by Kate Moore, whose meticulous research and narrative style bring the historical injustices faced by these women to life.
Is The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women worth reading?
Yes, The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women is worth reading as it provides a powerful exploration of a critical yet overlooked chapter in American history. Readers gain insight into the impact of industrial hazards and the relentless courage of the women who fought for their rights.
How many pages is The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women and when was it published?
The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women spans 400 pages and was published on April 4, 2017. Its thorough documentation and storytelling engage readers while educating them on important social issues.
What are the key takeaways from The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women?
Key takeaways from The Radium Girls include understanding the severe health risks associated with poorly regulated industries and the importance of workers' rights. The book illustrates the need for accountability from corporations and is a tribute to the tenacity of those who seek justice.