Radium as a Cure-All: The Early 20th CenturyHow a deadly element was marketed as a health miracle.

From the show

Historically Bad Advice

Discover how the newly found element radium was hailed as a cure-all, leading to a bizarre and deadly health fad. In the early 20th century, doctors and 'experts' promoted radium-infused products like toothpaste, cosmetics, and drinks for vitality. This trend, based on the misguided belief in radiation's healing powers, had tragic consequences. The story of socialite Eben Byers, who died from radium poisoning, exposed the horrific dangers and brought the era of radioactive consumer goods to a shocking end.