Hubley Atomic Disintegrator Ray Gun
The “Atomic Disintegrator” toy by Hubley Manufacturing is one of the most famous and highly-sought-after ray gun toys made. It debuted in 1954. Unlike many toy ray guns of the time that used flint mechanisms to shoot sparks, the Atomic Disintegrator is a cap gun. Cap guns create a sharp bang and smoke by compressing a percussion cap filled with a tiny gunpowder charge.
The Atomic Disintegrator was solidly-built, made of zinc-plated cast iron, with hard plastic handles. Good manufacturing alone wouldn’t have made the toy so popular though. The beauty is in the bulky, futuristic design that perfectly captures the mid-century sci-fi style. That design is so authentic, the toy has been used as a prop in science fiction films, notably Teenagers from Outer Space (1959).
It’s an excellent example of what is called atomic culture, in which fears and excitement about atomic weapons and power permeated so many aspects of American society after WWII. At that time, “atomic” was appended to everything imaginable: clothes, food, toys, jewelry, music, pinups, etc.
