Everyday Spy Gear: How Your Toothpaste Could Be Straight Out of a James Bond Movie

 

Lipstick Pistols: Spy Gadgets You Won't Believe Are Real

     Imagine standing in your bathroom, brushing your teeth, blissfully unaware that the humble tube of toothpaste in your hand was once a tool of Cold War espionage. In the murky world of spies and secret agents, even the most mundane household item can become a lethal tool or a device of pure ingenuity.

     If you’ve ever wanted to feel like James Bond (or, let's be honest, outdo him with your dental hygiene routine), then you’re in for a treat. Because some of these real-life gadgets used by the CIA and other spy agencies are both terrifying and downright hilarious. And, who knows? Maybe your coat button or your trusty umbrella has more potential than you think.

     Take the toothpaste, for example. During the Cold War, the CIA had something a little more sinister in mind than fighting plaque. They created exploding toothpaste tubes filled with a lethal toxin, designed to stealthily inject poison into an unsuspecting target. You’d never look at your morning routine the same way if you knew someone’s life could be ended with a well-placed glob of toothpaste. While this might not be the most practical way to get your kids to brush their teeth, it’s a solid reminder that even the most innocent-seeming item could pack a punch.

     But toothpaste isn’t the only everyday object with deadly potential. Ever been poked by someone’s umbrella in a crowded street and thought, “Wow, that was annoying”? Well, the KGB took it to a whole new level with their “Bulgarian Umbrella.” The tip of the umbrella wasn’t just a harmless piece of plastic. It had a small, compressed gas mechanism that could fire a poisoned pellet into its target.

     Just one poke, and it was game over. In my upcoming spy thriller novel, The Shadow War, CIA spymaster Corey Pearson and his elite team take a page out of that playbook. But instead of a needle-tipped poke, they use a modified version of the Bulgarian Umbrella that fires a pellet from twenty feet away. This isn’t just any pellet—it’s filled with Ricin, a poison that has no antidote. So, next time you grab your umbrella, you might feel a little more like a secret agent dodging raindrops—and Russian assassins.

     Now, we’ve all seen those cool gadgets in spy movies—cameras hidden in pens, watches, glasses. But what about cigarette lighters? Turns out, spy agencies thought of that, too. They disguised cameras as ordinary cigarette lighters, allowing spies to snap photos or record videos without drawing any suspicion.

     Imagine lighting up at a party and secretly taking incriminating photos of your boss—or just capturing your friend’s embarrassing dance moves. These lighters weren’t about getting a quick puff but about catching the perfect shot, no Instagram filters required.

     If you think that’s high-tech, wait until you hear about insect drones. Yes, researchers have actually created remote-controlled insects like cyborg moths and dragonflies. These little bugs (pun intended) can fly into places that human spies can’t reach, carrying miniature cameras and transmitters to gather intel. Forget about your drone with a GoPro—how about sending a dragonfly to spy on your neighbor’s backyard barbecue? Or, you know, just freak them out.

     By the way, I actually mentioned these dragonflies in an article I wrote a while back. It's called From the CIA Spy Museum to the Pages of Spy Thrillers: How Real-life CIA Officers and Fictional Spies Train Together. It’s packed with fascinating details about real spy gadgets that CIA operatives used during the Cold War—and many of which are still in use today. You should check it out!

     For the femme fatale spies out there, the KGB developed a particularly clever weapon: the lipstick pistol—a seemingly innocent tube of lipstick that conceals a single-shot .22 caliber cartridge. One swipe of red and—bam!—you’ve got yourself a secret weapon. Not exactly something you’ll find at Sephora, but it’s the perfect blend of beauty and danger. Now, while your favorite lipstick might not have lethal capabilities, it’s fun to think about the possibilities when you’re reapplying your signature shade.

     And let’s not forget about pigeons—those city-dwelling birds you probably avoid eye contact with. During World War II, the U.S. military strapped miniature cameras on them and sent them flying over enemy territory to capture aerial photos. Pigeon-powered reconnaissance. Who knew? Next time you see a pigeon bobbing its head around at the park, you might wonder if it’s snapping some shots for a top-secret mission or just trying to figure out where your sandwich went.

     Then there are coins. Simple, right? Just something you toss into a tip jar or lose under your couch. But for spies, coins had a lot more value than their face worth. Agencies hollowed out coins to hide microfilm or tiny microdots with secret messages. These modified coins could easily be passed between agents or left as dead drops without raising an eyebrow. Next time you reach for your spare change, maybe give it a quick shake—you never know what might be hidden inside.

     And if you thought that was wild, let’s talk about the CIA’s exploding rat carcasses. Yes, that’s right—rats. During the Cold War, they weren’t just a nuisance in the pantry. The CIA packed dead rats with explosives and left them for targets to handle, intending for them to detonate upon touch. It's gruesome, sure, but imagine the shock factor. While you probably won’t be loading up any rats to surprise your neighbors, it’s a story that will definitely liven up your next dinner party conversation.

     So there you have it—everyday objects that have been used in real-life spy operations. From exploding toothpaste to poison-tipped umbrellas, and even pigeons with cameras, it’s clear that nothing is too ordinary to be turned into a tool of espionage. And while you’re unlikely to need an exploding rat or lipstick pistol in your daily life, it’s always fun to imagine the hidden potential in the items around you. Who knows? Maybe that lighter in your pocket is more than just for lighting candles. 

Robert Morton is a member of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) and the author of the "Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster" spy thriller series. Check out his latest spy thriller, Misson of Vengeance.