TheJames Bondmovies may be one of the UK’s most famous cultural exports, but their presentation of the espionage world is far from accurate. 007 was first introduced in thebooks by Ian Flemming, who based the iconic character on an amalgamation of the secret agents he encountered while working in the Naval Intelligence Division during World War II. One difference between the source material and the subsequent movie adaptations is thatthe books included minimal use of the spy gadgets and gimmicks that would become one of on-screen Bond’s trademarks.
While real-world spies have been known to use surveillance tools disguised as mundane objects – such as the KGB’s famous shoe transmitter – theJames Bondfilms showcase some especially spectacular inventions. By the timeRoger Moore took over the James Bond movies, there began to be a sense that gadgets had become excessive. With the advent ofDaniel Craig’s dark 007, these extravagant gizmos became a thing of the past. Still, as ridiculous as some of the early gadgets may be,they contributed to the sense of humor which characterized vintage James Bond films.
15007’s Jetpack
Thunderball
Thunderballused a real jetpack in the scene that sees Bond take flight over Jacques Bouvar’s château. The fact thatactual scientists developed the rocket beltwith the initial intention of marketing them to the US Army almost makes them more ridiculous. In what is hardly a speedy getaway, James makes his laughably slow ascent while pursued by two antagonists. His assailants have ample time to shoot Bond as he coolly drifts away, but inexplicably, they miss.
14Water Ball Parachute
Diamonds Are Forever
Whether floating away on a jetpack or escaping a ski chase in his Union Jack parachute, 007 knows how to make a dramatic exit.The secret agent is similarly adept at making an entrance. One fromDiamonds Are Forever,the sixth and final Eon-producedJames Bondfilm to star Sean Connery as the title character, is especially memorable. Preparing to confront the villainous Ernst Stavro Blofeld, Bond is parachuted into the sea and approaches Blofeld’s oil rig via a floating water ball.
13The Seagull Snorkel
Goldfinger
James Bond is known for his classy outfits, but the wetsuit the agent wears inGoldfinger’sopening sequence is not one of these. When the agent first appears on-screen, audiences don’t recognize him. A seagull floats innocuously onto the frame, then beneath it emerges Sean Connery’s 007 in full snorkeling gear. This gadget may be effective, butsome of Bond’s characteristic swagger is lost at the sight of him sporting a stuffed bird on his head.
12Crocodile Submarine
Octopussy
Goldfinger’sseagull snorkel finds its successor inOctopussy,where Roger Moore’s 007 mans a small submarine shaped like a crocodile to infiltrate the floating palace. It’s clear to see why fans criticized the Moore era for going overboard with its gadgets. Reusing theGoldfingergag, the crocodile floats onscreen before its mouth opens and reveals Bond hiding inside. It’s less inconspicuous than a lone seagull, but since Bond also spends part ofOctopussyin clown make-up and a gorilla suit,it may be one of his most subtle disguises in the film.
11Detonating Toothpaste
License To Kill
A toothpaste tube is one item that could be found in the toolkit of genuine Second World War spies. They were used for transporting messages via a secret compartment. This unsuspecting item is put to a more novel use inLicense To Kill, however. In the second and final installment ofTimothy Dalton’s short-lived stint as James Bond, the agent uses the plastic explosive within to cause a distraction during his attempted assassination of Franz Sanchez. Q’s invented brand name,“Dentonite”,supplies a touch of classic, twee Bond humor, without straying into the slapstick of the Moore era.
10Spiked Umbrella
For Your Eyes Only
Ridiculous though it may seem, this memorable gadget also vaguely resembles a real weapon which was developed during the Cold War. The Bulgarian umbrella was so named because it was used in the assassination of Bulgarian dissident writer Georgi Markov in 1978: it concealed a pneumatic mechanism armed with a poison pellet. Released three years later,For Your Eyes Onlyincluded a more outlandish spin on the concept. Developed by Q-Branch and demonstrated to Bond in the film, the normal-looking umbrella released hooked spikes that would close on the victim’s neck.
9The Killer Tea Tray
The Spy Who Loved Me
TheSpy Who Lovedme also features a demonstration of Q-Branch’s latest inventions. Each of them are characteristically eccentric: there’s a spring-loaded ottoman chair that acts as an ejector seat, a machine gun disguised as a hookah pipe. Most memorable of all is the deadly tea tray. This hovering sheet of metal can be magnetically accelerated to a speed which enables it to decapitate its unfortunate victim. It’sdifficult to imagine a scene in which Bond could have used this item, since he would rarely get the opportunity to treat his antagonists to a light brunch.
8Oddjob’s Hat
Some ofJames Bond’smost ridiculous gadgets are often used by antagonists, rather than the agent himself. Supplying henchmen with a signature weapon is one way to make them stand out. Oddjob is one such iconic henchman most remembered for his unique method of killing. The bodyguard employed by Goldfinger sports a bowler hat lined with a razor, which, when thrown, is capable of cutting through stone and metal. This formidable weapon proves to be Oddjob’s downfall, however, when he is electrocuted through the the metal in the hat’s rim.
7Snooper The Robot Dog
A View To A Kill
TheJames Bondmovies often straddle the line between realism and science-fiction with their gadgets. This remote-controlled robot fromA View To A Killbears a striking resemblance toDoctor Who’srobotic"K9"companion, whose first appearance in 1977 predated this film.“Snooper"was designed for field reconnaissance, outfitted with dual-camera eyes which transmit live footage to the nearby operator. Its vague canine resemblance doesn’t serve any particular purpose, since no attempt was made to disguise it as a real animal. It is quite charming, though.
6Cigarette Rocket Launcher
You Only Live Twice
James Bondhas a penchant for concealing miniature weapons within small objects. InYou Only Live Twice,Helga Brant uses a lipstick case to discharge disorientating gas, which is somewhat believable: the gadget has a real-world precedent in the lipstick pistol developed by the KGB during the Cold War.The cigarette rocket launcher that features in the same film stretches the imagination, however. The weapon was developed by the head of the Japanese Secret Service, Tiger Tanaka, who claims that the item can save Bond’s life – to which the agent blithely replies,“You sound like a commercial.”
