In our previous blog we shared spy technologies of days gone by. Today we reveal a bit more of the tools utilized by the spies of yesteryear. Read on!
Cipher Disk: Developed by Italian architect and author Leon Battista Alberti, this device consisted of two concentric circles; each circle included the alphabet, one circle moved, while the other remained stationary. Though a simple device, it was used in a variety of ways.
Pigeon Camera: Just as it sounds, a small time-delayed camera was attached to a homing pigeon. These mini-aerial-photographers were amazing; some were even awarded for their bravery.
Tree Stump Bug: US Intelligence Agents once placed a bug inside a tree stump, which was then hidden in a forested area in Moscow. The bug picked up and transmitted satellite communications. In order to forego battery changes and potential discovery, the device was solar powered; sunlight came through the top of the stump, which appeared to be opaque, but was actually transparent. It may have stumped the KGB for a time, but it was eventually discovered.
Dog Doo Transmitter: This transmitter looked like dog doo, but was actually a rather complex device. Since it did look like doo-doo, the likelihood was high that folks would steer clear, though there was always the chance that a clean up crew would come along.
Hidden Cameras: Candid Camera was a popular television show that involved a hidden camera catching some funny practical and harmless jokes played on unsuspecting folks. Spy Cameras were quite the opposite; they were meant to catch unsuspecting folks in order to gather information about sinister and secret goings on. Such mini-cameras were hidden in numerous items like buttonholes, fountain pens, key chains, briefcases, cigarette cases, cigarette lighters and rings.
Cyanide Glasses: If the future is not looking so bright, these specs may come in handy. Hidden inside the tip was a cyanide pellet that could be used if the future looked a bit more bleak and torturous.
Now it’s your turn to play spy! With a Snotes Premium Account you are provided with even more options for creating truly secret notes. There is a “Line Jumble” option, which allows you to change the order of appearance of the lines of your message, making it more difficult to figure out. For example, “THE QUICK BROWN FOX JUMPED OVER THE LAZY DOG” could be rearranged to: “JUMPED OVER BROWN FOX LAZY DOG THE QUICK”. The key is to make sure that you have only one number assigned to each line.
There is also an option for changing the “Axis” or reference line, which causes the lines to appear at different angles and make reading the Snote even more challenging.
While creating your Snote, you can always click on the “Help” button, located in the upper right hand corner of the Snotes Generator page, for more information on how to make the most of Snotes. Find you inner spy today and make some secret message Snotes!