During the Cold War, surveillance in Moscow was the most difficult kind of surveillance that the US had encountered around the globe. There are lots of was to collect intelligence, and cameras were former CIA Chief of Disguise Jonna Mendez’s favorite. Jonna talks about all the different photography methods US spies used during the Cold War, from carrier pigeons holding tiny cameras to a variety of different spy cameras that could be hidden in pens, ties and pocketbooks.
Check out Jonna Mendez’s most recent book The Moscow Rules or find more information about her on her website on
Moscow Rules:
Archival images courtesy of the International Spy Museum (SPY) in Washington, DC, a Guinness World Record recognized nonprofit with the largest collection of spy artifacts in the world. At the Museum, you can see firsthand some of these spy gadgets:
Additional Archival Images Courtesy of:
Images of Tolkachev are courtesy of a family friend, from The Billion Dollar Spy. You can find out more about the book here:
Image of Matchbox Camera courtesy of the CIA, who does not endorse the contents of this production.
Interspectral:
Getty
Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division
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Former CIA Chief of Disguise Breaks Down Cold War Spy Cameras | WIRED
NTH THN
December 9, 2020 at 9:07 pm
That micro dot thing is insane :/
What do they even use now :/
Luk4
December 9, 2020 at 9:14 pm
I bet that’s not even her real face
Ralf Stephan
December 9, 2020 at 9:31 pm
Microdots were invented and used first by Germany.
mohd. Osman Abbas M. Ali
December 9, 2020 at 10:02 pm
omg we know their next generation defensive systems ok soviets scrap and start again only few billion $$ over
_oskr
December 9, 2020 at 10:19 pm
3:37 is that a camera in your chest or are you just happy to see me?
TheTarrMan
December 9, 2020 at 10:22 pm
Why does she say “I was at CIA” and not “I was at the CIA”?
CIA = Central Intelligence Agency. . . . . So you wouldn’t say “I was at central intelligence agency”, sounds weird right?
You would say “I was at the central intelligence agency”.
lilbluefreak
December 9, 2020 at 10:54 pm
English grammar is a funny thing, isn’t it? Lol
God Left
December 9, 2020 at 10:22 pm
Right, now tell me more about the fake balls
Gabor Szabados
December 9, 2020 at 10:41 pm
Mrs Mendez in a video? Like first, watch next.
Auctor137
December 9, 2020 at 10:42 pm
I didnt even watch it and I comment: more of her !
Cris
December 9, 2020 at 10:56 pm
she’s back!!!
lilbluefreak
December 9, 2020 at 10:57 pm
Um…. so how can I join in?! I’d be super badass at this! They’d never suspect me at all!!! Muhahahaha! 😈
lilbluefreak
December 9, 2020 at 10:59 pm
But seriously tho, htf do they train these pigeons to go places? Especially when they need to deliver a specific note? I’m SO curious about this! Anyone know? Do tell..
Zeacorzeppelin10
December 9, 2020 at 11:06 pm
I would love to have a tissina camera
Developer Squad
December 9, 2020 at 11:09 pm
She is amazing keep doing these!!
Dr. Steve Phil
December 9, 2020 at 11:10 pm
DONT END THIS SERIES
Mickeyomania
December 9, 2020 at 11:10 pm
THEY ACTUALLY USED PIGEONS?!?!
Daniel Rieger
December 9, 2020 at 11:31 pm
This lady is awesome. Most badass grandma
Will The Angry Dudeist
December 9, 2020 at 11:36 pm
Chief of Disguise….
Is that just below Master of Disguise????
david lambert
December 9, 2020 at 11:57 pm
I need that microdot technology for my final exams!
Bernhard Mäser
December 10, 2020 at 12:00 am
my sources tell me you recorded this around easter
Natalie
December 10, 2020 at 12:17 am
Microdots blow my mind.
Norma Castillo
December 10, 2020 at 12:27 am
Yes!! Thank you. I just watched Jonna Mendez breaking down 30 spy movies video
Antonio Arroyas
December 10, 2020 at 12:31 am
That was epic, Jonna, you present these topics and the technology in such a masterful and fluid way.
hari kaushik
December 10, 2020 at 1:19 am
Mission impossible doesn’t feel very impossible now. 😂
Linda Limon
December 10, 2020 at 1:25 am
Jonna Mendez… I’m a fan!
Dame Anvil
December 10, 2020 at 10:37 am
The monsters who built the Surveillance State. On the surface, they look human.
mba applications
December 10, 2020 at 10:50 am
Now we all understand why Soviet trained beluga whales to spy .
mba applications
December 10, 2020 at 11:50 am
At 5:50 what USA did to Soviet ,china is doing same to usa
HAHAnatorz ,
December 10, 2020 at 11:51 am
Yes another vid about Jonna and the CIA
Bobsofax64
December 10, 2020 at 11:54 am
So every visitor who used to walk around with their pen in hand was and probably still is a spy. Interesting to implement this at the office.
Avery the Cuban-American
December 10, 2020 at 1:21 pm
Told ya pigeons are spy cameras
The_badbatplayz
December 10, 2020 at 1:43 pm
CIA exists
*WIRED I Can milk you*
Kim Jong-un
December 10, 2020 at 1:45 pm
We have our own pigeons too, I use them to go get KFC in Seoul since we don’t have it here
Dylan
December 10, 2020 at 1:49 pm
We want more!
Connor Wood
December 10, 2020 at 2:59 pm
the birds worked for the government
Denise Bell
December 10, 2020 at 3:05 pm
The knowing anime suddenly bury because philippines arthroscopically spot apud a ill-informed linen. fallacious, colossal turn
Redbag
December 10, 2020 at 3:26 pm
It’s unbelievable how the state can brainwash you.
Biera
December 10, 2020 at 3:46 pm
propaganda
yo mama
December 10, 2020 at 4:21 pm
The green grey grieving lilac repressingly slow because cent inherently hunt through a astonishing sofa. unaccountable, lowly bomber
Aiman Iskandar
December 10, 2020 at 4:49 pm
For the time, the technology and method used by the CIA was pretty impressive
KeyStroke
December 10, 2020 at 4:52 pm
We need you for director instead of Gina Haspel!
Anthony San Lucas
December 10, 2020 at 4:52 pm
I love your channel. Would you consider moving to Rumble as YouTube is now censoring those they disagree with politically. Many are moving to Rumble as they are committed to free speech and discussion.
Johnny Cheung
December 10, 2020 at 5:16 pm
The colorful fairies tentatively afford because blade finallly note given a delightful holiday. secret, idiotic litter
Kris
December 10, 2020 at 5:33 pm
i love watching this woman so much!
1.5x playback everything - thank me later
December 10, 2020 at 7:07 pm
Now i want to know about the guy who made the tropel camera!
Johnny sun
December 10, 2020 at 7:34 pm
4:01 is she wearing a neckless or a camera
Frank S
December 10, 2020 at 9:12 pm
Truly a shame that the CIA didn’t use their full capabilities and expertise to short circuit that ‘Russian Collusion’ hoax.
Billy
December 10, 2020 at 9:29 pm
Please keep bringing Jonna back!
AllyOnAir
December 10, 2020 at 10:03 pm
This microdot thing is crazy, how is this possible
Jose Luis Rodriguez
December 10, 2020 at 11:03 pm
The guy who zoomed in the “innocent pigeon”
Solace
December 11, 2020 at 3:03 am
Hey! She’s back!
Half Of Me
December 11, 2020 at 4:12 am
Hello, please, would you give me a video link on how to convert sentences and words into numbers for study in the subconscious mind, please as soon as possible and thank you
Nay2D2
December 11, 2020 at 4:48 am
.
Justin Carter
December 11, 2020 at 5:39 am
Jonna mendez AKA Mary Pat Foley…
Brent Beacham
December 11, 2020 at 6:18 am
I wish we could honor Adolf Georgievich Tolkachev in some substantial way. It would be nice to see a submarine, bridge, or airport named after him. Tolkachev hated the USSR for what Stalin did to his family. A good lesson to learn.
Aidan Johnston
December 11, 2020 at 7:16 am
Love every video with Jonna!
Josemaría Hinojosa
December 11, 2020 at 8:45 am
Where is the microfilm?
idk
December 11, 2020 at 11:01 am
I love the aesthetic of the table. It gives detective vibe, old yet still smart.
Mistress Milky
December 11, 2020 at 11:35 am
that microdot method is absolutely insane
Goat MC
December 11, 2020 at 11:50 am
“You can put in one a pregnant woman”(the camera)
I’m sorry *what*
Wojciech Zylinski
December 11, 2020 at 11:52 am
Chief od Disguise at the terrorist organization
FTFY
000000000
December 11, 2020 at 1:25 pm
I know it pigeon are a government agent you cant trust them .one day i shot and cook it the day after that my neighbour arested for drug dealer
Tony Dean
December 11, 2020 at 3:17 pm
This infuriates American liberals. They are still upset that their side lost the Cold War.
thismeltingsnow
December 11, 2020 at 4:42 pm
I could listen to this women for hours! Thank you WIRED 👏
Runar Andersen
December 11, 2020 at 5:10 pm
Just amazing.
Think of todays camera tecknologi.
Oikake Akabei
December 11, 2020 at 6:49 pm
Augustin Jean Fresnel was a frensh physicist. The s is silent: fʀɛˈnɛl
Cranberry
December 11, 2020 at 7:24 pm
Incase of the’micro dot’, how were they able to print on such a small scale….?
Alex Gac
December 12, 2020 at 4:44 pm
A very small printer
Cranberry
December 12, 2020 at 5:23 pm
@Alex Gac 😂
Keeley Marie
December 11, 2020 at 8:29 pm
These are my favorite videos on this channel, hands down. Please bring her back regularly!!!
shridhar rudragoud
December 11, 2020 at 9:17 pm
It’s very old technology, imagine today’s tools
Shane
December 12, 2020 at 1:11 am
I adore this woman’s insights. I went to the spy museum when I was a kid. I wish I appreciated it more back then
TurkeyBaster12
December 12, 2020 at 1:26 am
Why tf was there a transgender commercial🤮
Kris Gaudet
December 12, 2020 at 3:45 am
Love watching Jonna Mendez! I could listen to her stories all day! It would be cool is they had her in some documentaries!
Joseph Tang
December 12, 2020 at 6:12 am
Imagine taking a photo in a meeting while undercover and all of a sudden the flash goes off because you forgot to turn it off… 🔪😵
_ Landa
December 12, 2020 at 10:55 am
the microdot is so f’ng cool.
Jake Williams
December 12, 2020 at 3:26 pm
So when does she get a miniseries about her life on Netflix? Hmm?
fierceANM
December 12, 2020 at 5:21 pm
I think she just blew my mind with the microdot because HOW
Vvbb Vvbb
December 12, 2020 at 5:21 pm
I thought it was elton john for a moment
Chris T
December 12, 2020 at 11:52 pm
More videos of this woman (when corona dies off) she is excellent at story telling
Gollumisahomie
February 25, 2021 at 6:19 am
Why put a camera on a drone with a built in camera?
Eddie Rivera
February 25, 2021 at 4:53 pm
Jesus this woman is badass
Patrik the shitpost man
February 25, 2021 at 7:19 pm
Imagine accidentaly shooting a pigeon and it has a camera on it
Dr Phil Swifty Boi
February 25, 2021 at 9:06 pm
Plot twist: She’s actually a 70 year old man disguising they’re identity…
Noah Woods
February 26, 2021 at 2:38 am
I just found this channel, and I’m sooooo glad I did
Ignatius Vito
February 26, 2021 at 12:39 pm
How microdot was made? It’s absolutely incredible.
Miguel Ibarra
February 27, 2021 at 12:08 am
Wonder what inspired WIRED to do this video
*COD Cold War*
*”Ah bingo”*
Kb0montty2
February 27, 2021 at 5:37 am
BIRDS AREN’T REAL!
Michael Skinner
February 28, 2021 at 2:34 am
Mr. Green and company😶
StormRage TM
March 1, 2021 at 11:34 pm
im actually lookigng for a microdot on the comments section.
.
see what i did there?
Li Feng Liu
March 2, 2021 at 4:57 am
The warlike palm finallly vanish because worm pathohistologically present like a determined jellyfish. parallel, animated cell
bite me if you dare hmph
March 2, 2021 at 1:17 pm
I bought a pen spy record camera gift my bf and he rejected it 🙁
Danice Lobrin
March 2, 2021 at 2:54 pm
I want the tiny cameras
Elsa Tan
March 3, 2021 at 5:33 am
The staking toilet disappointedly load because soil numerically saw into a dime. loose, ruthless workshop
Yes No
March 4, 2021 at 1:57 am
When I saw the name billionaire spy I thought of the anime “The Millionaire Detective Balance: Unlimited” lol
Jonna Borosky
March 4, 2021 at 2:22 am
So interesting!
Catalina
March 4, 2021 at 4:58 am
I could listen to her all day
Cole
March 4, 2021 at 3:28 pm
I want her to do a review on Cold War gadget in call of duty
L9lip0p
March 4, 2021 at 5:51 pm
i alwyas thought this was called wierd not wired
Alakai Punny
March 5, 2021 at 3:55 am
We were right pigeons are spying on us
mel
March 5, 2021 at 7:22 pm
please don’t hurt the pigeons 🙁
Bob Dole
March 8, 2021 at 1:59 am
Photo Ops Officer………..my friends…she was in POO.
Paul Dräger
March 8, 2021 at 8:12 pm
The pigeon story would make an amazing animated film.
Nate Levinson
March 8, 2021 at 8:59 pm
The tenuous authority preferably wrap because tiger mathematically point notwithstanding a capricious thread. quickest, important saudi arabia
ENIGMA XII
March 9, 2021 at 1:14 pm
And so that past Cold War technology has given us all a small camera that works with a hand held telephone/ computer.
That is pretty much taken for granted today…
The smart phone.
Angelo Fanella
March 11, 2021 at 2:55 am
What an awesome job
Eugene Charles
March 12, 2021 at 2:25 am
Fill no hope
Alex Gibson
March 12, 2021 at 8:32 pm
Can… can I even believe her? Is this misinformation? Idk what to think lol
HyperionStudios
March 13, 2021 at 7:20 pm
lol at everybody in the comments wondering what kind of technology the alphabet soup has now. i mean surely it’s impressive but it can’t beat the device that almost every human has on him 24/7, namely the smartphone. smartphones must be the biggest gift to intelligence agencies in human history.
Psyminds
March 15, 2021 at 2:58 pm
When she first said microdots I thought she was gonna talk about how they were using LSD back then
If someone told me there was a microdot in a magazine I would find out by cutting out every single . and then eat it lol.
The C.I.A.
March 17, 2021 at 2:31 pm
Stop giving away our secrets!!!!