International Spy Museum opens its doors

There is no richer source of speculation and intrigue than the realm of international espionage. The deadly real-world ingenuity that inspired 007 and an entire genre of literature can now be seen at the International Spy Museum. The museum is the first dedicated to espionage and provides a global perspective on the craft, practice, history, and contemporary role of the espionage profession. The KGB issue Lipstick Pistol, "Through the Wall" surveillance, tracking devices concealed in shoes and overcoats equipped with button cameras form part of the the extensive collection developed over 30 years and housed at the Museum in Washington, D.C.

In bringing together the largest collection of international espionage artifacts ever placed on public display, the International Spy Museum called on the expertise of former CIA and KGB chiefs, and the Museum's Executive Director, E. Peter Earnest, is a veteran of 36 years of service with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

The exhibition aims to bring a historical perspective to the shadowy world of espionage, using interactive displays, film and video alongside the actual artifacts to bring an understanding of their role in current and historic events.The "The Kiss of Death" was the name given to the 4.5 mm single shot weapon disguised as a tube of lipstick used by KGB operatives during he mid-60'.

The existence of the weapon was first detected at a border crossing into West Berlin.Lipstick was one of many options for concealing weapons during clandestine operations - torches, pens, tobacco pipes and cigarette packets were also used, but if we had to choose one device NOT to use it would be the KGB's 4.5mm single shot Rectal Pistol which was encased in rubber and hidden exactly where the name suggests, and certainlky not something you would want to go off prematurely.

The collection also explores the history of code making and breaking operations with famous cipher machines like Enigma, used by Germany in World War II and the US field-version from the same period - the M-209 Cipher Machine. The M-209 was widely used by the U.S. Army during ground operations. Tactical communications encrypted by the rotors of the compact M-209 were transmitted by radio and quickly deciphered with another M-209 machine the M-209 cipher machine could be easily transported for use in the field.

Invented in 1923, the Enigma cipher machine was refined during WWII, achieving increased levels of complexity until it was broken by the world's first computing machine, the Colossus I, in 1943.

Other highlights from the Museum collection include:Spy Shoe with Heel Transmitter : Looking like a quirky prop from Get Smart, the 1960's KGB issue Spy Shoe with a radio transmitter concealed in the heel was used to monitor secret conversations.

The shoe's transmitter, microphone, and batteries were imbedded in the heel of a target's shoe. A maid or valet with access to the individual's clothing would be given the job of planting the rigged shoes and activating the transmitter by pulling out a white pin from the heel.

The target would then become a walking radio station, transmitting all conversations to a nearby monitoring post.

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