Today, we know that radium products are incredibly harmful and that radiation can kill you. However, this wasn't the case in the early 20th century when radium paint was used for many household objects without a second thought. That is until factory workers exposed to the radium paint started to die. Radium Girls, as they're known, often perished from radiation poisoning. Those who didn't (Grace Fryer, Edna Hussman, Katherine Schaub, Quinta McDonald, and Albina Larice) took their employer to court, and though they eventually won the battle, it was at a great cost.
If you'd like to learn more about the Radium Girls, click through this gallery now.