Remember your childhood chemistry set?

Mine were Porter Chemcraft, I believe.

Tried two or three of the suggested experiments in the paper guide? The color changes were cool, but they got boring quickly?

And then the mysteries:

Why did those little bottles of sulfur and saltpeter run empty first?
Dad: What's that burning smell? And, who left the bag of charcoal briquets open again ... Junior??
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Online rabbit holes for your time wasting pleasure:

https://www.evilmadscientist.com/2013/vintage-chem/
https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-19050342
https://slate.com/technology/2...nto-a-scientist.html

I loved those things! I don't recall the brand of the ones I had but a local store carried individual chemical replacements along with some which were not included in the sets. They were generally the more useful chemicals.

My first explosion came from one of these. Vinegar and baking soda in a test tube, cover, shake, boom. My chemistry set was taken away after we got back from the doc's.

Had lots of fun with mine, but enjoyed the erector set more.

Thanks for the memory! I'd forgotten all about that.

And that reminds me of the microscope set too!

Mine was in a red box & I remember my mother saying it cost $5. My Christmas present one year. I do remember walking to the drug store & buying Saltpeter & Sulphur. Until 6guns metioned I had forgotten about the microscope set. I did have a very large Erector set with the parachute men. I kept that Erector set until about 20 years ago & sold it for $200.

Found the Chemcraft set I had:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/15510...6:g:wL0AAOSwb1BizDAK

Chemistry sets and lawn darts and wood burning tools, BB guns and fireworks and clackers These were a few of my favorite things

I had one, too.

Never did get deep into chemistry, but playing with the set I had was lots of fun before the various chemicals ran out.

There were a couple of kids in the neighborhood whose homes we nicknamed "House of Boom" because of the concoctions they were putting together, but nothing ever happened.

quote:

Originally posted by Didls:
Chemistry sets and lawn darts and wood burning tools, BB guns and fireworks and clackers These were a few of my favorite things

Clackers! The thought of those things shattering scares the shit out of this old guy!

My brother and I had one, too. That is until we caused a fire in an upstairs room with it in 1962 ...

This one looks like fun.

The Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab was an actual radioactive toy and learning set sold in the early 1950s. The $49.50 set came with four samples of uranium-bearing ores (autunite, torbernite, uraninite, and carnotite), as well as a Geiger-Mueller radiation counter and various other tools.

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Been there / done that / got the t-shirt ......... Why have these things disappered??? Guess some people know what is best for other people!! ............................ drill sgt.

Thanks for inspiring a few good memories.

I really enjoyed discovering the surprises associated with carefully following each formula outlined the manual that came with my chemistry set. And the adventure of pushing the envelope by adding a little more ingredients than prescribed. I fondly remember fifth-grade science teacher, Mr. Kneiss who helped inspire a long-term interest in science and chemistry. Occasionally, he would invite his students to bring into the class lab our favorite experiments to share with the others. Using the moment as a teaching lesson, he would explain what was happening in the chemical reactions that made the magic happen. I remember always looking forward to his classes. Kids need more teachers like him today.

I guess my parents were smarter then most, they didn't provide any such toys in our home. My brother and I could get into enough trouble without their help.

quote:

Originally posted by pace40:
My first explosion came from one of these. Vinegar and baking soda in a test tube, cover, shake, boom. My chemistry set was taken away after we got back from the doc's.

Mine stated on the outside, to reassure parents I guess- "This kit can not be used to create any poisons or explosives".

I took that as a personal challenge.

quote:

Originally posted by 220-9er:
Mine stated on the outside, to reassure parents I guess- "This kit can not be used to create any poisons or explosives".

I took that as a personal challenge.

So did I. I have no idea how a manufacturer can put sulfur, potassium nitrate and powdered charcoal in a chemistry set and state it can't be used to create any explosives.

Black powder can be a lot of fun.

quote:

powdered charcoal in a chemistry set

Not in my chemistry set & could not buy at local drug store. I took charcoal briquettes, put them in a sock & beat the briquettes with a hammer on the patio. My home made gunpowder made sizzling firecrackers. I heard about how to make pipe bombs but was scared they were too dangerous. I don't think pipe bombs were illegal to make in the 1950's.

I vaguely remember mine. I know I messed around with it, but apparently not enough to dig into the sciences. Chemistry was not a strong suit for me in high school or college. And I might not have even taken it in college, being an accounting major. If I did, it was just one semester with a lab for 4 credits.

I had one in the early 60s ... but kinda looked like the one you had but little different. Since we did not have much money in those days it probably was a smaller version.

So, you guys are the reason these are no longer available at retail?

Yeah, I had the Chemistry and Erector set too, lusted after the Atomic Lab, but never got my hands on one, maybe if I had, that lunch box nuclear reactor would now be a reality! Move over Dr. Oppenheimer!