Hollywood spy gadgets go mainstream
We have all been dazzled by Hollywood espionage agents in movies because they are the embodiment of sophistication and worldly class. And not to mention the fact that they also have cool toys. Perhaps that is what draws our attention to them because, in a way, we want to be them and play with their toys too.
Most of us will have to work out the air of sophistication for ourselves, but the toys are on the market for spy enthusiasts to enjoy. With the miniaturization of technology and its cheaper production costs, cameras and camcorders can fit in the palm of your hand. Video and audio recording devices are very popular because they fit the James Bond motive of espionage, which is to have cool devices that turn into something else. You can find spy pen camcorders, spy sunglasses, or even a spy gum stick, all of which double as spy devices for the unsuspecting masses.
Other espionage tools in an agent’s arsenal are cloaking devices. These cloaking devices can be anything ordinary. As its name suggests, its purpose is to hide things. Therefore, anything can be a cloaking device as long as it can pass the prying eyes of onlookers as unspectacular and worthless. Razor tins, fake paintings, and hollow books are all good candidates for a concealment device. An espionage agent could hide money, messages or anything that he considers secret inside.
A cloaking device can also serve another purpose as a dead device. A deadlock device is one in which an object is passed between agents without them meeting in public. This is different than a live drop as the brokers would meet for the trade. Although this reduces the risk of the agents being seen together and arousing suspicion, it also raises concerns that someone else could reach the deadlock device before the exchange. This is why specific signs are agreed upon to direct to the location of the deadlock. Since dead-end locations must change to avoid repeats, multiple cues are used.
As you can see, spies use a combination of technology and cunning to do their jobs. It’s not just about having cool gadgets, but also using some old-fashioned ingenuity. Using the methods described above, one can play amateur spy for fun.