How about this one?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Miss_Atomic_Bomb_1957.jpg

Actually, I think the word "atomic" was originally fun and *then* turned into something serious, especially in the aftermath of the very real destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. If I remember correctly, the design of the atomic bomb was something of a nationalistic celebration in the United States, of the triumph of science, specifically "American" science, or at the very least the triumph of the United States over the Soviet Union. To be "atomic" in that age points to power-- you'll notice that the materials contemporary to the period posted above make you think of words like fun, reliable, and powerful. In contrast, you'll notice that the more recent uses of the word atomic point to something that is (still) powerful, but connotes destruction and overkill as well ("atomic fireballs", or check out the graphic on "atomic head" candies). So I would bet that the use of the word atomic went through three distinct stages: before Hiroshima and Nagasaki, when it was fun, reliable, and powerful; the aftermath of the bomb and the very real destruction of human life and property on a scale that no one was prepared for; and then the most recent post cold war uses that appropriate the destructive properties of the the atomic bomb to advertise the power of a product to consumers (again, from a safe, post-cold war distance, where few people if any live in fear of an all out nuclear war).

Shortly after the discovery of radioactivity, there was a fad to use radioactive materials for cosmetic or health purposes.

http://www.popsci.com/scitech/article/2004-08/healthy-glow-drink-radiation

Radium solar pad ad: http://www.adclassix.com/ads2/29radium.htm

Radium water dispenser: http://www.museumofquackery.com/devices/revig.htm
http://www.theodoregray.com/PeriodicTable/Files/Revigator.pdf (original pamphlet)

There was also a widespread use of uranium for tablewares: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uranium_glass

Don't worry, Vivek--we've got a post coming on Miss Atomic Bomb!

While I think using the atom bomb is an abomination (pun intended), you have to remember that it ended the War and brought back the American troops. If the war had just ended and I had not seen photos of the destruction or heard firsthand accounts of it, I might have viewed the atom bomb in a positive manner too! After all, without the kind of media and (minimal) cultural understanding we have today, World War II seems to have been viewed as a good guys vs. bad guys conflict, and killing the faceless "Japs" might not have seemed as important as bringing the troops, many of whom might have been friends and family members.

CookieMonster,

It's patently false that dropping either atomic bomb ended the war, but that idea is one of America's Sacred Cows so it's not discussed much. Japan had been trying to surrender for about six months prior to Hiroshima but phone calls weren't being answered, so to speak. It's clear what the US gained by the spectacle(s), but even accepting the premise that "the" hydrogen bomb ended the war still doesn't explain Nagasaki (there were two you may recall; it wasn't an "it" it was a "they" that didn't end the war).

Kurt Vonnegut jr. said this once during an interview: "The most racist, nastiest act by this country, after human slavery, was the bombing of Nagasaki. Not of Hiroshima, which might have had some military significance. But Nagasaki was purely blowing away yellow men, women, and children. I’m glad I’m not a scientist because I’d feel so guilty now."

Anyhow, I'm curious how the word "Atomic" plays in Japan, if it had differing connotations over time as well, etc. I'd guess it goes over a little differently there, and that there aren't any "Atomic Fireballs" for sale in candy stores, unless they are Punk candy stores of course.

[Irrelevant Note: People think Mr. Vonnegut is pretty smart, so I used his words instead of mine since I'm just some random idiot. I'm also fairly sure he meant no offense to biologists and such.]

"Atomic" also refers to the era, post-WWII when atomic energy was the new, big thing (in regards to the "Atomic Ranch" and "Atomic Cocktails" pictures).

Whenever I need to dispose of large quantities of stuff around the house I call Atomic Waste. Because who doesn't want an Atomic Waste disposal unit parked outside their house?
http://www.atomicrecycling.com/

I always believed that Atomic in certain senses, certainly in the home decorating and record company above, referred to the 'Atomic Age' or the 1950s. In this sense it seems like an ironic usage of the word.
As for atomic used in candy and drinks, I believe it refers to the impact the item is supposed to have. Obviously trivializing.

Wow, I thought USA was supposed to feel guilty after bombing Japan TWICE, not to have candy with the name plus the drawing of some character with the mushroom cloud as a head! This is overwhelmingly disrespectful!!!