That's a very interesting story. Radium was a huge hit in its times. That what was happening was even called "Radium fever".

Radium was everywhere including toothpastes, shampoons (cure against hair loss).

Fortunately only a few people could afford Radium-enhaced products, since it was expensive. Side effects started to appear quite soon too.

There were other popular uses of radiation, until '50 many shoes shops had X-ray equimpent that allow to see how shoes fit [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoe-fitting_fluoroscope]. Not that great idea, after all.

For me it is kind of warning against using everything that men invent or men can do. There are always things we don't fully know or understand. In the long term something could be a great danger for all of us.

Before we jump into next great thing it is good to stop for a while...