Tuesday, August 16, 2011

The Spy Museum

I had a great time at The Spy Museum in Washington DC! I studied each display and read every plaque, but have no photographs because cameras are not allowed inside. The tour starts with basic surveillance techniques, like dead drops and spotting hidden cameras. There is an excellent video on how to pick a lock, and a wonderful display of recording devices. Micro-technology has certainly improved over the years.

The section on codes is well-done, and I got to see an Enigma machine. I would have liked to see a diagram of the scrambling circuitry, but perhaps that is too technical for the target audience. The historical rooms are fascinating, and I’m eager to read more about the spies of the American Revolution and Civil War. The story of the tunnel under the Berlin Wall is also something that I’ll have to investigate further.

Even though I spent four hours at the museum, I could easily go back and learn more. After some internal debate, I decided not to buy a SPY GIRL T-shirt. It would blow my cover.

4 comments:

Debbie Diesen said...

I think you should go back numerous times -- but in a different disguise every time!

Ann Finkelstein said...

Debbie: They have an exhibit that allows visitors to crawl through an air vent. Next time, I won't wear a skirt.

TimInMich said...

Drat, I hoped to get to D.C. this summer. I would have gone to that museum! My sister was there for some months as temporary CEO of her organization, with a nice apartment. But she was so busy whipping the organization into shape that there was no time to do stuff. She's now back in her beloved Denver.

Ann Finkelstein said...

Tim: The spy museum is certainly worth a visit. Unlike most of the DC museums and galleries, it isn't free, but it is a lot of fun.