Panther Media GmbH/Alamy Stock Photo

radioactive teacup

Would you eat off a radioactive plate? Before World War II, many people did! (Don’t try this at home!) Glassblowers once used uranium, a radioactive substance, to add shades of green and yellow to glass. A popular dishware company also used uranium in an orange-red glaze now known as “radioactive red” Fiestaware. Under a black light, dish- and glassware colored with uranium glows!

Radiation is everywhere. Everyday objects like phones and some types of rocks give off radiation. But radiation in large amounts is dangerous. People are not advised to use uranium glassware for eating and drinking now. But some collectors display it as artwork.