SPYSCAPE ventures into the wired world of gadgets this week where we check out the latest, must-have spy toys and meet some of the Agency inventors - the real-life Qs working for the CIA, Mossad and Britain’s Secret Service. We also venture back in time to WWII and the Cold War where KGB gadgets and ‘escape and evasion’ tools meant the difference between life and death on the frontlines of espionage.
Gadgets to go
We’ve tracked down 15 of the coolest spy gadgets on the market today and they’re not just for Ethan Hunt, Jason Bourne, and James Bond fans. Our top picks include Smart Lenses, AI voice generators, HD cameras, and items you’ll soon find indispensable for sleuthing or simply saving time. From talking ski boots to HD camera drones, this gear will give you the edge in any situation.
When Robert Wallace’s boss pushed him to apply for the Office of Technical Service, the CIA officer shrugged. Robert was an analog guy in a digital world - he didn’t even change the oil in his car. Like it or not, Robert soon found himself appointed to oversee the boffins, navigating a brave new world of wizardry and deceit. He was the ‘new guy’ with no scientific background and spycraft would never be the same again.
KGB spy gadgets often read like a Bond villain wish list - cigarette packages wired with microphones, miniature camera rings, and even a heartbeat locator to flush out spies hiding in concealed compartments. Excitingly, many of these intriguing Moscow inventions are now part of the SPYSCAPE collection and we’re revealing 12 of our top Soviet-era gadgets today - exclusively for you, dear comrade.
When Israel finally tracked down suspected Nazi criminal Adolf Eichmann in the ‘60s (brilliantly portrayed by Ben Kingsley in Operation Finale), Mossad needed to ensure they had the right man before approving a complex kidnapping operation. To do that, Mossad put its faith in top-secret technology and tradecraft. Now Mossad’s Q, Avram Abraham, reveals the secrets that made - and almost derailed - the entire mission.
Get a FREE copy of a hot new thriller, spy story, or crime novel every Monday with a special Story Mondays ticket to SPYSCAPE HQ. Next Monday it's Need to Know by historian and former CIA officer Nicholas Reynolds, which sees the New York Times bestselling author of Writer, Sailor, Soldier, Spy, uncover the definitive history of American intelligence during World War II, illuminating its key role in securing victory. Don't miss your FREE copy when you experience SPYSCAPE HQ next Monday.
From pipe daggers to kiss-of-death lipstick and baseball grenades, SPYSCAPE has amassed an ingenious collection of gadgets used by Allied spies who fought tooth-and-nail to outwit enemy forces during WWII. Known as ‘escape and evasion’ gadgets, these clever inventions hid maps, tools, compasses, and many other secrets and surprises.
Charles Fraser-Smith was one of Britain’s finest gadget masters. His silk handkerchief doubled as a map of France; his suit jacket hid a tiny saw; even his cigarette holder was a telescope. He and his team fought WWII from their workshop, creating gadgets that inspired soldiers and 007’s creators alike - proving that a cigar is not always just a cigar.
