Radium Company of Colorado Lead Pig for Radium Needles (ca. 1920s, 1930s)

This steel-cased lead shield appears to have been designed to hold and/or transport radium needles. When the case is opened two rectangular stainless steel holders pop up into a vertical position as seen in the photograph on the right. Each of these is capable of holding up to eight needles. The small pins on the outside of the case, protruding towards the lower right in the photos, were probably used to tie the shield closed during transport. The following is stamped on the inside: "THE RADIUM Co Of COLO. U.S.A." and "PAT APL'D FOR."