A Miracle in a Bottle
In the 1920s, Radithor was marketed as a health tonic by William J. A. Bailey, a Harvard dropout. The drink contained radium dissolved in water and was claimed to cure ailments like arthritis, impotence, and fatigue. It was advertised as a rejuvenating elixir.
Widespread Use
Radithor gained popularity among the wealthy and influential. Eben Byers, an industrialist and socialite, became one of its most famous users, reportedly drinking over 1,400 bottles in a span of three years, believing it improved his health and vitality.
The Tragic Fallout
Byers’s health began to deteriorate in 1930. He suffered severe jawbone decay, abscesses, and eventually lost large parts of his skull due to radiation poisoning. His death in 1932 brought widespread attention to the dangers of Radithor and unregulated medicines.
The End of Radithor
Following Byers’s death, Radithor was pulled from the market, and the incident led to increased scrutiny of radioactive products. It became a cautionary tale in the history of consumer safety and scientific oversight.
In the 1920s, Radithor promised to be a miracle cure, blending science and hope. Sold as a drinkable elixir of radium, it captivated the wealthy, including industrialist Eben Byers. But behind the allure lay a deadly secret… 🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/czSWVWCkOS
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) January 25, 2025