4. Acoustic Kitty: Cat Spies on a Leash
The CIA’s Acoustic Kitty project, initiated in the 1960s, aimed to transform cats into covert listening devices. Veterinary surgeons implanted microphones and transmitters into the cats’ bodies, with the tail serving as an antenna. The first mission involved releasing a cat near the Soviet embassy in Washington, D.C., to eavesdrop on conversations. Unfortunately, the cat was struck and killed by a taxi shortly after deployment, leading to the project’s cancellation (smithsonianmag.com).
