1973

Geiger Counter

The Cold War (1947-1991) was an ongoing struggle between the Soviet Union and United States after the end of World War II due to the threat of atomic warfare and fear in America of communist expansion around the world. It is known as a "cold" war because it did not actually involve direct combat, but a conflict of competing spheres of influence in various countries, military posturing, and the ever-looming threat of mutually-assured destruction. The threat of nuclear warfare had considerable psychological impact on the American public, who proceeded to prepare fallout shelters and stockpile food and supplies as a precaution.

At the height of the Cold War from c. 1950 to 1973, several public fallout shelters were established in Fort Wayne by the Civil Defense agency. One was set up in the basement of the Lincoln National Bank tower. Among the cots, food and medical supplies stashed there in case of a nuclear event was this Geiger counter. It would allow potential survivors to gauge the radiation levels to determine if it was safe to exit the shelter. This Geiger counter features a Civil Defense logo on the side of the device.