ATOM'S SHRINKING DEVICE	BIOGRAPHY
Created by Gardner Fox and Gil Kane

TECHNICAL DATA

Name: Atom's Shrinking Device
DCU Creator(s): Ray Palmer
First Appearance: Showcase #34 (September-October 1961): "Birth of the Atom!"
Creators: Gardner Fox and Gil Kane

HISTORY

A device constructed from white dwarf star matter by scientist Ray Palmer, who found that the matter had size- and mass-altering properties that could be utilized with the use of a special lens. Developing a costume containing these properties, Palmer became the size- and weight-changing superhero known as the Atom (II). The Atom's first costume was controlled by a dial located on his belt buckle, but he later placed the controls in the palms of his gloves. Originally, the Atom only had a limited shrinking ability, but after perfecting the technology he was able to shrink all the way down to sub-atomic size and make him self lighter than air. Still later improvements allowed him to cybernetically control his changes. Since then, his power has become internalized in his body, and he no longer needs to use his device to shrink.

Atom's “shrinking belts” have also been used by Paul Hoben, Adam Cray (Atom III) and Ryan Choi (Atom IV) The technology has also been applied on the Micro/Squad.

CHRONOLOGY

For a definitive list of appearances of Atom's Shrinking Device in chronological order click here