CD V-730 Pocket Dosimeter (1954-1956)
The CD V-730 was a direct-reading (self-reading) pocket dosimeter that measured exposures from 0-20 roentgen (R). The 1959 revision of Technical Bulletin TB-11-20 Radiological Instruments for Civil Defense identified the CD-V-730 as one of three civil defense dosimeters, the other two being the CD V-138 and the CD V-742. According to the Bulletin, the CD V-742 superseded the CD V-740. Four years later, the Handbook for Radiological Monitors (April 1963) stated that both the CD V-730 and the CD V-740 had been replaced by the CD V-742.
Manufacturers: Landsverk, Bendix
Number manufactured: Approximately 170,000
An early production run example of the CD V-730 manufactured by the Landsverk Electrometer Company and donated to the ORAU collection by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The typed paper label on the dosimeter barrel reads: "V-730 Production Landsverk - 1956." Size: 4.5" long, 0.5" diameter
An early production run example of the CD V-730 manufactured by Bendix and donated to the ORAU collection by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The typed paper label on the dosimeter barrel reads: "V-730 Production Bendix - 1954-5." Size: 4.5" long, 0.5" diameter
Black plastic version of the CD V-730 dosimeter. Made of unpaintable conductive plastic. Hence the black color. Made for FEMA at the William Langer Jewel Bearing facility in Rolla, North Dakota. In 1996 the facility was privatized and became Arrow-Tech.
Approximate Cumulative Procurement, Inventory and Distribution of CD V-730s*
| Fiscal Year | Procured | Inventoried | Distributed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through FY 1956 | 3,789 | ||
| Through FY 1957 | 60,373 | 7,109 | |
| FY 1958 | 103,955 | 17,523 | |
| FY 1959 | 152,949 | 122,611 | 30,338 |
| FY 1960 | 154,700 | 116,059 | 38,641 |
| FY 1961 | 155,700 | 112,823 | 42,877 |
| FY 1962 | 168,500 | 108,949 | 58,043 |
| FY 1963 | 168,500 | ||
| FY 1964 | 168,500 | ||
| FY 1965 | 168,500 | 87,891 | 77,314 |
| FY 1966 | 168,500 | 87,322 | 80,968 |
| FY 1967 | 168,500 | 86,905 | 81,385 |
| FY 1968 | 168,500 | 86,761 | 81,529 |
| FY 1969 | 168,500 | 86,737 | 81,553 |
| FY 1970 | 168,500 | 86,669 | 81,620 |
| FY 1971 | 168,500 | 86,461 | 81,828 |
| FY 1972 | 168,500 | 85,846 | 82,443 |
| FY 1973 | 168,500 | ||
| FY 1974 | 168,500 | 28,842 | 139,447 |
*The numbers in the above table should be considered approximate. I compiled them from data in the Annual Statistical Reports of the OCDM, OCD and DCPA. By "procured," I mean delivered by the manufacturer to the OCDM, OCD or DCPA. "Inventoried" means stored in a Federal (rather than state) warehouse ready for distribution. "Distributed" means sent to the end user. The latter primarily means the states, but also various federal agencies and even foreign governments. The number of procured instruments may be greater than the combined number of inventoried and distributed instruments for a variety of reasons: some may have been sent back to the manufacturer, some may have been disposed of, the numbers might be incorrect, etc.
All of the above were donated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency courtesy of Carl Siebentritt, except the black plastic dosimeter that was donated by the Northern Ohio Chapter of the Health Physics Society courtesy of John Wills.
References
- Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization, Radiological Instruments for Civil Defense Technical Bulletin TB-11-20, Revised June 1959.
- Department of Defense, Office of Civil Defense, Handbook for Radiological Monitors FG-E-5.9, April 1963.