Radioactive Boy Scout

David Hahn, a curious and mischievous boy from Michigan, had an insatiable thirst for knowledge. His parents encouraged his inquisitiveness, hoping he would channel his interests into something meaningful—perhaps even aiming for a future Nobel Prize.

However, following his parents' divorce when he was very young, David found himself bouncing between two households with minimal adult supervision. This lack of guidance proved to be quite consequential.

At the age of ten, David received ‘The Golden Book of Chemistry Experiments’ from his step-grandfather, igniting a passion for scientific exploration. He quickly set up a makeshift lab at his father's home, but it was far from the simple experiments most kids would undertake.

Growing Obsession with Science

By the time he was 13, David’s fascination with chemistry had escalated dramatically. He began experimenting with compounds that were far beyond his understanding, unaware of the associated dangers. While many people warned his parents about his hazardous activities, they didn’t take them seriously. David's stepmother occasionally checked his supplies and disposed of some chemicals, but her actions were not enough to deter him.

With permission to relocate his lab to the basement, David seized the opportunity to expand his experiments. He started earning money through odd jobs to fund his growing collection of chemicals and tools.

A Warning Ignored

One fateful day, David obtained red phosphorus, a highly volatile substance typically found in matchboxes. He recklessly began hammering it without any protective gear, resulting in a massive explosion that caused severe injuries and extensive damage to the basement.

Despite the incident, neither David nor his parents grasped the severity of his reckless experimentation, and he continued on his dangerous path.

A New Purpose for His Obsession

After his basement experiments rendered the space unusable, David transitioned his laboratory to his mother’s backyard, where he felt free and unrestricted. Encouraged by his father, he joined the Boy Scouts, aiming to earn the prestigious Eagle Scout rank.

Among the many badges he sought, the atomic energy badge piqued David's interest. He immersed himself in nuclear energy studies, creating pamphlets, models, and even visiting a local hospital's radiology unit. By May 1991, just before his 15th birthday, David earned the Atomic badge, but it wasn't enough for him—he aspired to build a nuclear reactor.

Who Said a Backyard Reactor Was Impossible?

David set out to construct a breeder reactor, a self-sustaining machine designed to generate both power and fuel indefinitely. The process hinges on nuclear fission, which involves using a radioactive element like uranium or plutonium to create a continuous energy-releasing chain reaction.

Disregarding the inherent dangers of such a project, David proceeded with his plans. He approached various organizations, posing as a college professor seeking hazardous materials for a class. Remarkably, he received detailed information from representatives of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on how to obtain, store, and dispose of radioactive elements.

Step 1: Understanding the Reactor Construction

With a newfound understanding of the reactor-building process, David moved on to the next step: acquiring the necessary materials.

Step 2: Collecting Radioactive Materials

Surprisingly, David faced few hurdles in gathering these dangerous substances. He learned how to extract radioactive materials from common household items such as smoke detectors, lanterns, and glow-in-the-dark toys. He placed bulk orders for smoke detectors and camping lanterns, racking up thousands of dollars in purchases to extract americium and thorium. David even went so far as to order uranium from Czechoslovakia, delivering it directly to his home.

At this point, he had all the components required for his project. It was time to proceed to the next step.

Step 3: Building the Reactor

David began by constructing a simple neutron gun to irradiate objects. Whenever he had questions, he reached out to the NRC, who were more than