I used to work at a nuclear laboratory. Actually, what we had was a hand-me-down cyclotron from our big brother UC Berkeley. Since the cyclotron was so old, we had to repair or build any parts we needed ourselves.
My job was as a machinist’s apprentice (read: gopher) in the machine shop attached to the lab. I recall on my first day I was given a dosimeter. Which prompted a rather funny exchange:
Me: Why do I have to wear this?
Helpful admin: Oh, honey. That’s so we can measure how much radiation you get.
Me: I know what it’s FOR. I want to know WHY! There’s ten feet of solid concrete between the shop and beam – how am I going to be exposed to any radiation?
Helpful admin: Oh, that couldn’t possibly happen!
Me: Then why am I wearing a dosimeter?
Helpful admin: Well…you never know.
I always think back to that conversation whenever someone says something is impossible.
