The radioactive boy scout

Reporter Ken Silverstein writes a true story about a teenager who was clever enough to deceive his parents and the U.S. government to build a nuclear reactor in his back yard.

The Radioactive Boy Scout ( 621.483 SIL in the biography section)centers around a science geek named David Hahn who lived in a suburb of Detroit, Michigan. His interest in science first started with old science books that talked about nuclear power. Passing himself off as a professor, he contacted the U.S. government and industry experts for additional information on radioactivity. Through the use of parts found in common items found in different sporting goods products, junk yards, and antique stores.

The crude nuclear reactor that he did build had to be destroyed by the EPA and buried.

c Waterloo Public Library 2007