AThe Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is one of the United States' main defenders against foreign threats. The truth is, we don't always see much of the work this agency does to protect the United States. However, every now and then, they allow the public a little peek inside.
Below are some interesting and "secret" facts about the CIA:
1. The CIA went through several transformations before becoming the agency we know today.
Before World War II, the US, like most countries, did not have a designated intelligence agency. After the war, in 1941, things changed with the formation of the Office of the Coordinator of Information (COI).
A year later, COI was renamed the Office of Strategic Services (OSS).
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In 1945, the OSS was transformed into the Strategic Services Unit (SSU), then into the Central Intelligence Group in 1946, and finally into the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in 1947.
2. There's a special, super-secret Starbucks at CIA headquarters.
CIA agents, like everyone else, need their caffeine fix. That's what the Starbucks in the heart of Langley headquarters serves.
But this is no ordinary shop. It's called "shop number 1," and here no one asks you for your name to write on your glass.
3. They laid the foundation for the technology that led to the creation of Google Earth
Google Earth is now indispensable for exploring the world, but this technology was made possible thanks to the CIA. In 2003, the CIA invested in a company called Keyhole, which was developing a 3D system that used satellites to map the Earth.
Google later bought the company and thus Google Earth was born.
4. Not everyone who works for the CIA is on secret missions.
Forget what you see in the movies. Working at the CIA isn't always about spies and covert missions. Some of the employees are librarians, secretaries, accountants, analysts, and engineers. They work office hours from 9 to 5.
Although they must keep the details of their work secret, they don't have to lie to their families about where they work.
5. Former agents cannot reveal secrets even after they retire
The fact that you no longer work for the CIA doesn't mean you can speak freely about its operations.
From the moment you start working, you sign a contract that says you can't publish anything without the agency's approval. The CIA's Publication Review Board reads every piece of material written by current or former employees to ensure that nothing forbidden is being revealed.
6. The agency had a network of secret prisons
In early 2002, journalists uncovered the existence of secret CIA prisons, called “black sites.” Reports indicated that the agency was illegally detaining and torturing people in these prisons.
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These secret sites were located in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, and only a few high-ranking officials knew their location.
In 2006, after they were captured, the US government was forced to shut them down.
7. Attempt to create spy cats
During the Cold War, the CIA was willing to try anything.
A program called “Acoustic Kitty” involved implanting listening devices in cats to infiltrate enemy bases. The implantation was the easy part — the problem was that cats, as everyone knows, don't tend to follow orders.
The project was abandoned.
8. The CIA trained birds to spy on enemy bases
First, a camera was created that was very small and easy to carry by a bird.
Through "Operation Tacana," they placed cameras on pigeons and allowed them to fly over enemy territories.
Pigeons were the perfect spies, because there were so many that no one suspected. And unlike cats, they returned with photographs.
9. The CIA has employed magicians
Not for birthday parties, but to teach agents useful tricks in the field.
One of the magicians was John Mulholland.
His advice was later published in the "Official CIA Manual of Deception and Deception," which includes instructions for switching objects or communicating covertly with a partner.
10. The CIA has its own museum, but you can't visit it.
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The CIA's headquarters in Langley is home to the CIA Museum, which exhibits espionage equipment and artifacts from decades of missions.
Unfortunately, it is not open to the public — but a virtual tour can be viewed on the agency's website.
