The New Nuclear Sign

The new Nuclear Sign is an attempt save us from personal and collective Nuclear Accidents and Disasters. But what about the Nuclear Fuels' Waste in one Mio. Years? Are we save? And is the new sign any help at all?

Since man found out how to separate atoms in the mid-20th century nuclear energy has been used to power (and destroy) many things - accidentally and on purpose.

Today Nuclear power plants are scattered throughout the world providing electricity for thousands of people, with the US having the most Plants.

The sign for nuclear power and dangers, also known as the symbol for radiation, had its birth in the 1940s in Berkeley, California.

Origin of Sign not clear

The original one, a trefoil or three blade design, was dreamt up by a group of people at the University of California Radiation lab in Berkeley in 1946. The sign has been used since its creation at the lab. There are varying ideas on what the trefoil design represents. One of them says the sign depicts the radiation of an atom.

There are also some who claim that the representation is similar to a sign used in the old Naval base near Berkeley that in old days warned people of spinning propellers.

And others decided the sign meant the circle in the center was a radiation source and the blades are the alpha, beta and gamma radiation.

I personally see the last suggestion as the most likely option.

After first usage the icon went through several color changes until it finally landed on the black image on yellow background.

This remained the standard signage after the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) designated the colors and representation for worldwide use. It has been used for scores of years to warn people where there is something radioactive and to stay away from the area or material that is labeled such.

Go to Part 2: The New Nuclear Symbol

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