Kearny Fallout Meter
The
Kearny Fallout Meter or
KFM is an expedient radiation meter designed to be able to be constructed immediately before or during a nuclear attack by someone with a normal mechanical ability and from common household items. It also is a science project demonstrating the effect of
ionizing radiation.
An electrostatic charge is placed upon two aluminium foil leaves. As radiation strikes the meter the foil leaves lose their charge and start to droop. This droop can be measured and a rate be established.
It was developed by
Cresson Kearny from research performed at
Oak Ridge National Laboratory and published in the
civil defense manual
Nuclear War Survival Skills (ISBN 094248701X). The plans are formatted so that they could be quickly printed in local newspapers.
*
PDF version of the plans*
online versionNuclear War Survival Skills Appendix C by Creason Kearny ISBN 094248701X
Leyden jar
