Post date: Jun 19, 2012 8:5:26 PM
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (JUNE 19, 2012) (REUTERS) - Secrets from some of the world's most covert agencies are putting their tricks on display for a new exhibit called "SPY: The Secret World of Espionage," in New York City.
Artifacts from the world's leading spy agencies make up a new exhibit in New York City.
"This is a pretty concerted effort by the CIA, FBI and the NRO, National Reconnaissance Organization (Office) to basically show the American public what goes into intelligence gathering through a collection of artifacts that, you know, have historic relevance through the history of espionage. Get kids engaged in science as well as again, give people a good foundation for understanding what these intelligent agents do on a day-to-day basis," explained Carl Cricco, the marketing director for Discovery Times Square.
In this first-ever public display, authentic devices from secret agents and spies are on view. Visitors will be able to learn the tricks of the trade in addition to getting a rare look at tools that brought down some of the biggest criminals and masterminds of our time.
"One of the star artifacts is the ice ax that actually killed Leon Trotsky, which is very interesting and has ramifications through the entire Eastern and Western world. And that is here in Times Square," Cricco told Reuters.
Over 10,000 of the pieces come from the personal collection of author H. Keith Melton, who has penned numerous books on espionage. Other relics were loaned by some of the world's leading intelligence agencies.
Also included in the two-floor experience is a collection of video surveillance tapes and tools used to capture Russian spy Anna Chapman. The 30-year-old was arrested in 2010 with nine others in New York and pled guilty to conspiracy to act as an agent of a foreign government without notifying the U.S.
One of the most popular interactive features is the laser web which gives children the opportunity to test their spy skills.
"Hollywood has definitely made good use of the laser maze and we have one here for kids to navigate and to try and go through and sneak through without setting off sensors. And it's incredible popular with the children here and we think it's one of the highlights of the exhibition," said Cricco.
"SPY: The Secret World of Espionage" is expected to run at Discovery Times Square until May 2013.