Spy stuff of the last century

When there were no satellites… In the past, the twentieth century, at a time when satellites were not flying in space, but it was necessary to extract information, science and technology equipped agents with advanced inventions. Of course, they are outdated, but how interesting it is to look at real spy cameras! I remember the early films "007", "Umbrella Prick", "Tall blond man in a black shoe" and the technique that the heroes owned. And here it is, real, not fake. Perhaps someone used it.

The Lucky Strike camera was developed for the US Signal Forces between 1949 and 1950, but did not go into mass production. Only two copies were made — now they are in the Museum of the Signal Troops in New Jersey. The "cigarettes" pulled out of the pack served as camera control buttons. The size of the camera is slightly smaller than the size of a real Lucky Strike pack, so it fits exactly into the box. On the left is a luxmeter disguised as a pack of Ohio matches.

The ABC-clock-shaped camera, made by the German company Steineck in 1948, was a popular tool of private detectives in the 1950s. But it is not known whether the wristwatches equipped with a 12.5mm lens were used by the scouts.

The paperback book was one of the very first hidden cameras. It was created by Dr. Rudolf Krugener in 1888. Cautious opponents may even have suspected that there is still a lens in the spine of the book…

Designer Giampaolo Ferro made only 20 GF81 cameras in the form of rings, they are also "miracle cameras". These are some of the smallest cameras in history.

Imagine that you are secretly photographing someone, and not just watching them from afar. This physiograph camera was created in 1896 and patented in England and France.

Latvian Minox cameras were not disguised as any object, and due to their size, they could simply be hidden in the palm of your hand. The CIA (from World War II to the 70s) and the KGB (until the 90s) were used. This model - Minox A 82 mm high - was made between 1948 and 1969.

The New York Expo Police camera (was on sale between 1911 and 1924) was also not disguised as other items, but was suitable for surveillance, as it was the size of a matchbox.

Obviously, there is no better way to avoid attention than using a camera disguised as a weapon. The Japanese Doryu 2-16 camera pistol was produced between 1954 and 1956.

Hidden camera in a vest pocket from the German manufacturer CP Stirn (for Mr. Bond?). This model was the forerunner of clothing-mounted camera devices, which became a favorite plot of tabloid and cult spy novels.

What time is it? Probably time to cleverly take some photos from the Ticka camera. Created by the London Houghtons company between 1905 and 1914.

Another Japanese camera disguised as a weapon. Mamiya's pistol-camera could take a portrait of a person from 10 steps. It has been produced since 1954. Only 250 pieces were made in order to train police officers.