Another thought on the box

Although the detective mentions "Manhattan Project", etc. I always believed that the box was NOT a nuclear device or material.

One thing that always led me to believe this is why would the detective, as well as Dr. Soberin, just say it's a radiation weapon, or its highly radioactive material, or whatever. Everyone by 1955 knew all about radiation, radioactive substances, etc. Dr. Soberin is very mysterious in what he says, he could have said, don't open that thing, it will burn you to death and spread radiation everywhere. He does say "it will turn you to brimstone and ashes" but he also says, "would you believe me if I told you?" Why would it be so hard to believe if someone told you there was radioactive material in the box? What is so difficult about just saying what it is? What WOULD be difficult is to describe to someone something that does not yet have a good description or understanding.

Rather, I thought it was some horrific thing that was captured or created, and perhaps studied and isolated in one of these specialized laboratories, such as Los Alamos, but not just a nuclear device. Maybe something that spawned off of working on atomic weapons, but not what we would conventionally think it is. The sound of the thing--while some may argue one must look past for dramatic purposes--gives me pause as well.

I think most people agree it is nuclear material, but to me, I think the ambiguity is what makes it fun.

Thoughts?