#43: An Old Radium Ad

We know that radium is an incredibly harmful radioactive metal that can cause things like cancer, anemia, and reduced bone growth. However, we didn’t always know that. It’s terrifying to think that companies used to incorporate radium into hair products, watches, toothpaste, and many other products. This vintage ad from 1924 is for a radium-infused home perm product. 

Radium was first discovered by Marie and Pierre Curie in 1898. It was hailed as a miracle element that had many health benefits. Oh, how wrong we were. This ad perfectly exemplifies how radium was advertised as a cutting-edge selling point in the beauty industry. Unfortunately, many women were exposed to radium through their jobs and personal care products before they knew how harmful it was to their health.