Intrigue without the danger.
A sunny day in London does not automatically motivate you to visit a museum. With so many few sunny days in winter, you’ll be forgiven to be thinking that I was raving mad, heading to the Imperial War Museum in London. Nevertheless the lure of this exhibition made me go, on a sunny afternoon.
If you have never been, the Imperial War Museum is a jewel of a place. Located in south London, it is easily reachable by public transport which is always a plus. I take comfort to the fact that the museum was busy, re-affirming - once again - that I am not the only culture-vulture walking the streets of our great city. Indeed, the place was buzzing with a younger crowd too and not only with “people my age” (cough, cough). Families were there too, taking full advantage of the interactive part of the museum which in the U.K. it is done so well in many places. Interactive displays make culture fun and accessible to children and I smiled as I walked around the place, seeing the young ones being thrilled by the gadgets and screens there. Nothing like letting your kids mess about with things make them happier, don’t you think? Well, nothing expect the prospect of a cake after the exhibition. Judging by how busy the cafe’ was, stick and carrot approach is still a winner.
The exhibition has a good balance of information, both visual and audio, and a well-thought selection of spy-gadgets with fun and technical notes. It is highly entertaining for young and the not-so-young people alike.
Even marking of the recommended route on the floor provides a good sense of British humour, never to be missed.
The displays offer an eclectic range of radio equipment, camouflage, and Bond-like gadgets, especially relevant during the Cold War. Three of my favourite: a lipstick, a camera inside a lady’s handbag and a pencil. There are also stories about agents and double-agents. Some are more famous than others like Philby, agent Sonya and, more recently, Anna Chapman. However there are plenty of lesser known characters to make this exhibition time well-spent.
Part of the exhibition is also dedicated to deceiving the enemies. Operation Mincemeat is there, of course, among the others, but so is the diversion created by the British during Desert Storm.
The Imperial War Museum is free to visit. This particular exhibition ends in April, so I suggest that you make space in your social schedule to visit before then. it would be a shame to miss this display into tradecraft, the intrigue and the danger faced by agents. Best of all, there is no danger for you, except queueing in the cafe’ on the ground floor. I cannot vouch for kids’ misbehaviour.
Free tickets:
Spies, Lies and Deception free ticket and information - Imperial War Museum, London
Books:
Ben McIntyre Collection 4-books set including Operation Mincemeat
