The Radioactive Boy Scout By David Hahn

Introduction
In the book, The Radioactive Boy Scout by Ken Silverstein, the life of the quirky and mysterious David Hahn is described in detail. His fascination with the science of chemistry and radioactive substances are shown to be the result of several different influences on his life. The main influences located in the book The Golden Book of Chemistry Experiments, his local Boy Scout troop, and his own home life and different family situations. David was also well versed in his knowledge of the periodic table, as he was able to obtain most of the elements on the periodic table and conduct experiments with them. David Hahn also may have been skilled in chemistry, but his knowledge of safety in the lab was subpar, and he put his own life and the lives of others in jeopardy.
Key Idea 1: The Golden Book of Chemistry Experiments
From a young age, David Hahn was fascinated with science, especially

chemistry. This fascination was magnified into an obsession when he was gifted The Golden Book of Chemistry Experiments by his step-grandfather. The Golden Book of Chemistry Experiments gave David the ability to replicate several exciting, albeit dangerous science experiments. The reason for the book’s dangerous nature can be established by observing the time that it was written. It was written during a time of conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union, so it was designed with the intention to mold young minds into understanding and appreciating the science of chemistry in the hopes that they will use their knowledge to compete with the Soviet Union (Silverstein, Loc, 244). The writers of the book refrained from including several important safety precautions, as it deemed them a necessary sacrifice in order to preserve the future of America. David especially took interest in the book because of its reverence of nuclear power. But David did not immediately jump head first into nuclear power, he instead started with small experiments. David started off by doing experiments like creating alcohol or constructing fireworks. He eventually used the The Golden Book as reference to construct the model for his nuclear breeder reactor. The Golden Book of Chemistry Experiments left a lasting impression on David, and it was a major influence on his scientific experiments.
Key Idea 2: The Boy Scouts
Another one of the major influences on David Hahn’s decisions was his time spent in Boy Scout Troop 371.

Originally, David joined the Boy Scouts because he was pressured to by his father, a former Boy Scout. However, by staying in the Boy Scouts to satiate his father’s demands, he could practice his experiments more freely. Another benefit of being in the Boy Scouts was that it gave David access to knowledge and items that he normally would not be able to obtain. In the Boy Scouts, David was given the opportunity to construct a model Geiger counter in order to obtain a badge (Silverstein, 1233). This eventually lead David into pursuing more radioactive elements. His status as a Boy Scout gave him the chance to obtain knowledge from a prestigious group of people, like the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. It also gave him an excuse to give his father when he asked about his experiments; his excuse was that he was attempting to obtain a merit badge for the Boy Scouts. David’s time in the Boy Scouts had an influential role on his life, especially his interest in

chemistry.
Key Idea 3: Family Situation
One of the most factors in David Hahn’s life was his family situation. David’s family situation is similar to many around the United States and the world, but it is also terrifyingly unique. David’s family situation is similar to others in that his parents separated when he was young. The situation is made unique, however, when given the reason behind it. When David was young his mother was diagnosed with depression and schizophrenia (Silverstein, Loc, 158). This affected her heavily, as it made her have paranoid thoughts and tendencies. She would complain about ghosts and intruders, and would even make David examine the house with her. It was these events that culminated in the separation of David’s parents. After his parents separated, they both eventually remarried with different spouses, and David’s already tumultuous family situation was worsened with the addition of a stepfamily. His father’s disposition towards him deteriorated to the point of apathy. The only time he cared for what David was doing was if it affected his new family in a negative way, or if it concerned the Boy Scouts. His mother and her new husband were unaware of the experiments that David was performing in their garden shed, even though the experiments were lethal. The situation with David’s family played a large role in shaping him into the person he became, both in his scientific experiments and in life.
Key Idea 4: The Periodic Table
David’s interest in the periodic table is made evident throughout the entirety of the book. David’s interest in the periodic table peaked when he decided that he would collect every element on the periodic table (Silverstein, Loc. 1270). David started off his collection with the simple acquisition of elements like tungsten and gold. But David’s quest for the elements did not end with the easily acquired elements on the periodic table. After David got the idea to construct a nuclear breeder reactor, he decided that he needed to obtain hazardous elements like americium and radium in order to fulfill his goals. Even though David did not successfully manage to construct a nuclear reactor, he managed to learn a great deal about the periodic table, David’s goal to obtain the elements on the periodic table is connected to his innate desire for scientific experimentation, and reflects the same ideals taught in science classrooms today.