CIA Museum Escape & Evasion Gadgets & Devices

Escape & Evasion Kit

Special operations personal were provided these kits for field operations. Included would be the following items:
Diamond wire for cutting metal, Fishing equipment, Compass, Ceramic blade, Can opener, Lock picks, Light stick, Leatherman tool
All very useful, but you would think a few dollars for beer and a MacDonalds voucher wouldn't have gone amiss.

Escape & Evasion Knife

The OSS supplied this tool to both American and British demolitionists for incursions into occupied France during the Second World War. The multi-purpose tool could also be used as a weapon if required.

Silk Map

Originally designed by Clayton Hutton of the British Special Operations Executive during World War II, maps printed on material were most useful for evasion and escape. 
Hutton wanted a material that was thin enough not to take up much space but also durable and crease resistant. The maps needed to be silent, in case it needed to be unfolded in earshot of the enemy, and also waterproof. After experimenting with a number of materials he learned that pectin mixed with ink worked with silk printing. Waterproof dyes were later used on these highly detailed CIA maps.

Concealed Compass

Servicemen were often provided compasses that were concealed. It could have been in a comb, the buttons of a jacket or uniform, and in this case, as a tiny compass secreted within a cufflink.