While searching the web for information on home nuclear power systems, I came across this interesting scan of an ’80s print ad for an imaginary device called the Chernobyl Household Nuclear Generator. There is no date on this mock ad, so it is unclear whether it was created before or after 1986 — the year of the Chernobyl meltdown. If the ad was created before 1986, when Chernobyl was widely regarded as a marvel of modern technology, it would appear to be some sort of attempt to arouse interest in the promise of household nuclear power. If created after 1986, it would appear to be somebody’s bad idea of a joke. Regardless, with all the talk today of global warming and peak oil, perhaps it would not hurt to take another look at what home fission reactors have to offer. If affordable, would you be interested in purchasing a Chernobyl Household Nuclear Generator?

Here is a loose translation of some of the text in the ad…

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A gentle source of unlimited energy for the home

Reduce your monthly electric bill by 80% and enjoy a constant, stable supply of energy free from the fluctuations in supply that affect the oil market.

A single, user-friendly activation switch makes the Chernobyl Household Nuclear Power Generator simple to operate, even for children and the elderly. One small nuclear fuel rod (about 15 cm long) generates enough electricity to support the average household for six months. To dispose of a spent fuel rod, simply insert it into its special shielded case and discard it along with ordinary non-combustible household waste.

Main unit: 1.31 million yen [$5,450*] (plus tax)

Set of 3 fuel rods: 137,000 yen [$570*] (plus tax)
[* Dollar figures based on early ’80s exchange rate of 240 yen/dollar.]

Caution:
When using the power generator with direct current, people near the device may on rare occasions experience dizziness or a tingling sensation in the hands or feet. If you experience such conditions, temporarily discontinue use and consult a physician.

(Coming soon:
Nuclear batteries (Types AA, C and D)
500x longer lifespan than conventional alkali batteries!)

Safe, efficient nuclear power is now readily available for use in your home.

Chernobyl Household Nuclear Power Generator - Type 1
Nichigen Co., Ltd.
Nihon Shogata Genshiryoku Hatsuden, K.K.
(”Japan Compact Nuclear Generators, Inc.”)

[Link]

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum’s Peace Watch Tower, which records the number of days since the last nuclear test, was reset on October 10, one day after North Korea conducted an underground nuclear test.

The peace clock’s two digital displays show the number of days since the US atomic bombing of Hiroshima and the number of days since the last nuclear test was conducted. Before being reset on Monday, the clock read 40 — the number of days since the US conducted a subcritical nuclear test at the end of August.

The clock was set up on August 6, 2001 on the 56th anniversary of the 1945 U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Over the past 5 years, the clock has been reset 11 times following each of the nuclear tests conducted by the US (some in cooperation with the UK) and Russia.

Museum director Koichiro Maeda says, “We are concerned that more nations will start to believe their national security can be strengthened by possessing nuclear weapons. It is extremely foolish.” The museum is now considering making room for North Korea in the reference library exhibit, which displays information about nations possessing nuclear weapons.

About 300 survivors of the Hiroshima nuclear bombing gathered in the park near the museum condemning the possession and testing of all nuclear weapons by all nations.

[Source: Asahi Shimbun, Chunichi]

Here’s something to watch in commemoration of this dark day in history — a video showing Tokyo under nuclear attack. The video was pieced together using footage from a 1984 NHK documentary about nuclear war, which showed a high-tech (at the time), Godzillaesque simulation of what happens to Tokyo when nuked by an 8-megaton bomb. The soundtrack is Sun Ra’s “Nuclear War” (1982) as performed by Yo La Tengo (2002). Despite the outdated special effects, the message is pretty timeless: a nuclear weapon can really screw up your city. Seriously, wouldn’t it be great if our governments could find a way to eliminate the need for these things? Peace.

[Link: Video of Tokyo nuclear attack]