Marie and Pierre Curie have advanced the field of science beyond measure. Their collaboration led to discoveries throughout the field of radiation, including coining the term radioactivity itself. At the time it was assumed that anything as energetic as radiation had to be a good thing, and radioactive materials found their way into countless household goods. In one experiment, Pierre tied a chunk of radium to his arm for ten hours noting the burns it left -- and felt confident he had found a cure for cancer.
As we now know, long term exposure to radioactivity is dangerous, and may be fatal. The Curies would carry glass bottles of polonium and radim in their pockets, storing them in wooden drawers. Unwittingly they both became living guinea pigs in the effects of long term exposure. Pierre would die in a street accident in 1912. The distraught Marie would live until 1934, when radiation poisoning claimed her life.
Their papers were exposed to the same lethal doses of radiation that the Curies were, and as such have been stored in lead lined boxes ever since. Even Marie's cookbook requires the donning of protective gear -- and signing of a waiver -- to be seen.
-Professor Walter
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