Monday 20 January, 2025

In pictures: top spy gadgets of the 60s and 70s

From ‘turd’ transmitters to the classic camera watch, here are some of the top Cold War gadgets from the KGB and CIA.

Jan 8th 2012, 10:30 AM 9,589 Views 14 Comments

FROM JAMES BOND to Jason Bourne, spies on film know where to get the latest top-secret technology – and how to use it ‘in the field’.

But here’s a collection of authentic spy gadgets used by real-life secret service agents working for the Soviet KGB and America’s CIA in the 1960s and 70s, including a ‘turd’ transmitter and a poison dart-shooting umbrella:

Previous 1 / 9Next

'Turd' transmitter
A CIA transmitter in disguise. Ew. (Image via photoshtab.ru)
Camera watch
Sure where would any self-respecting spy be without the classic camera watch? (Image via photoshtab.ru)
Hidden-poison lasses
The arm of these glasses could conceal enough poison to kill the agent, should the occasion arise. (Image via photoshtab.ru)
Spy instruments
A set of tiny instruments which can all fit in the small capsule for, eh, 'bodily' concealment. (Image via photoshtab.ru)
Tree stump radar
A device for picking up radar and air defence system signals disguised as a tree stump. It could relay information by satellite. (Image via photoshtab.ru)
Spy shoe
A smart pair of shoes with a handy recording device fitted inside the heel. (Image via photoshtab.ru)
Secret space cufflinks
From the KGB's collection: cufflinks with secret storage space for hiding (tiny) things. (Image via photoshtab.ru)
Poison dart umbrella
An umbrella that can shoot poisoned darts, developed by the KGB. Bulgarian dissident writer Georgi Markov was assassinated in London in 1978 by a dart from such an umbrella. (Image via photoshtab.ru)
Glove pistol
A small pistol with glove for convenient concealment. (Image via photoshtab.ru)

See more spy gadgets on Photoshtab >

About the author:

About the author

Susan Ryan

@SusanSRyan

susanryan@thejournal.ie

See more articles by Susan Ryan

Contribute to this story:

Send a Correction

COMMENTS (14)

∞

About Us

Corrections

Report Content

Policies

TheJournal.ie supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1890 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie

Please note that TheJournal.ie uses cookies to improve your experience and to provide services and advertising. For more information on cookies please refer to our cookies policy.

News images provided by Press Association and Photocall Ireland unless otherwise stated. Irish sport images provided by Inpho Photography unless otherwise stated. Wire service provided by Associated Press.

Journal Media does not control and is not responsible for user created content, posts, comments, submissions or preferences. Users are reminded that they are fully responsible for their own created content and their own posts, comments and submissions and fully and effectively warrant and indemnify Journal Media in relation to such content and their ability to make such content, posts, comments and submissions available. Journal Media does not control and is not responsible for the content of external websites.

In pictures: top spy gadgets of the 60s and 70s

From ‘turd’ transmitters to the classic camera watch, here are some of the top Cold War gadgets from the KGB and CIA.

'Turd' transmitter

Camera watch

Hidden-poison lasses

Spy instruments

Tree stump radar

Spy shoe

Secret space cufflinks

Poison dart umbrella