Christmas tinsel was initially made of lead until the US government persuaded manufacturers to change it to plastic.
Lead foil was a popular material for tinsel manufacture for several decades of the 20th century. Unlike silver, lead tinsel did not tarnish, so it retained its shine. However, use of lead tinsel was phased out after the 1960s due to concern that it exposed children to a risk of lead poisoning.
The Haus of Dcaligari 